Government Study Guide Vocabulary citizen – an official member of a community, state, or country. responsibility – something you should do right – a freedom public officials – leaders who work in government common good – whatever helps the most people in a community law – a rule that tells people how to behave in their community represent – to act or speak for someone governor- the leader of a state president – the leader of the nation Legislative Branch- branch of the government that makes laws (Congress) Executive Branch- branch of the government that signs laws ( President) Judicial Branch- branch of the government that enforces laws (Supreme Court) Representative democracy- a system in which citizens elect leaders to represent them in government Branches of Government Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Rights and Responsibilities All citizens have rights and responsibilities A right is a freedom Ex: voting for leaders Responsibility is something you should do Ex: respect others, obey the laws Citizens have the right and responsibility to participate in government. They can vote for who they want to be their leaders, learn about new or changed laws, and volunteer in the community Obeying Laws Law – a rule that tells people how to behave in their communities. Ex: You must wear a seatbelt when riding in a car Citizens face consequences when they break the law. Ex: get a ticket, go to jail Democracy Representative Democracy- citizens choose other citizens to represent them. •The United states is a representative democracy. This means: We vote for people to represent us in government.

3 Branches of State Government Each branch has a job to do! What is a state government? There are 50 states in the United States and each one has its own government. •Citizens elect a person to head, or lead their state government. That person is called the governor. The governor’s job is to: carry out state laws sign new laws to make them official 3 Branches of State Government Each branch has a job to do! 1. Legislative Branch – makes new laws, rewrites old laws, and votes on laws •General Assembly 1. Senate – people who work in the senate are called senators. 2. House of Representatives – people who work here are called Representatives. Citizens can express their concerns to their state representative. If you wanted to change a law or had an idea for a new one, you would write to the members of the General Assembly. 2. Executive Branch - signs laws, carries out laws • Governor 3. Judicial Branch – decides if a law has been broken • Courts – judges

3 Branches of National Government Each branch has a job to do! People who work for the national government meet and work in Washington, D.C. The main role of the national government is to protect citizen’s rights. •Citizens elect a person to head, or lead our nation’s government. That person is called the President. The President’s job is to: carry out the laws can approve or reject laws made by congress Donald Trump 45th President of the United States of America 3 Branches of National Government Each branch has a job to do! 1. Legislative Branch – makes new laws, rewrites old laws, and votes on laws •Congress 1. Senate 2. House of Representatives 2. Executive Branch - signs laws, carries out laws • President 3. Judicial Branch – decides if a law has been broken • Supreme Court – highest court in the U.S.