Social Studies Civics & Government GED Support Kristina Gonzales, BS, MHA

Civics & Government Gonzales, Fall 2017

Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U.S. System The US government  Representative democracy Citizens vote to elect representatives Democracy “rule of the people” Other Forms of Government: Monarchy  “rule of 1 person” Aristocracy  “rule of elite class” Theocracy  “rule of church” Anarchy  “rule of mob” VS Authoritarian Rule dictatorship The earliest americans traveled from Asia to North America. These americans were called “Native Americans”. They were the first to settle, until an explorer name Christopher Columbus arrived. There were many explorers traveling and discovering the world in the late 1400s. In 1492, CC set out across the Atlantic ocean. He was rejected by multiple Kings, and finally went to Spain and convinced them finance his trip. At first he assumed he found India and later on it was discovered that he actually found the “new world”. After this discovery, European nations set out to conquer what they could. In other terms, they discovered new “colonies”. Was about power, wealth, and place to live Gonzales, Spring 2017

Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U.S. System Important to development of democracy: Signing of the Magna Carta: England 1215 This limited the king’s rule & subjecting his decisions to review Development of the legal document  habeas corpus Made it illegal for government to hold or imprison individuals without granting them trials As a review of the King’s decisions Parliament A government formed by a party holding A majority of seats in the parliament Parliament Democracy

Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U.S. System Age of Enlightenment (17 & 18th century)  the spread of democracy These countries adopted Bill of Rights The Era philosophies  reason and individual rights and encouraged government by the people “The Enlightenment” philosophers = Adam Smith, John Locke, Voltaire

Lesson 2: Constitutional Government Foundation of national government = the Constitution of the U.S. U.S. Republic form of government in which citizens elect the people who will govern them Different from…monarchy or dictatorship

Lesson 2: Constitutional Government The Constitution breakdown: Preamble  introduction; particular goals for the nation Articles  (7); provide 3 branches of government, establish the rights of the state, set forth procedures for ratifying & amending the constitution Amendments  proposed by congress if supported by 2/3 majority in both house & senate We the People…

Lesson 2: Constitutional Government The 1st 10 Amendments passed 1791 Became the Bill of Rights Rights of the citizens 13th = outlawed slavery 1865 15th = rights of citizens based on race, color, etc. 1870 19th = women right to vote 1920 24th = banned poll taxes 1964 26th = voting age to 18 1971

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government Layers of Government: Works across all 50 states National Federal Have their own constitutions State Local Federalism  basic principle of the US constitution ; power shared between the national & state levels of government This protects the rights of individual states, but national government enforce certain rights

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government Judicial Branch Executive Branch Legislative Branch Made up of the federal court system including Supreme Court President and various advisors (cabinet) & government departments Consists of 2 Houses of Congress House of Representatives Senate -decides disputes related to laws -enforces the nation’s laws & provides national leadership, goals, & policies -responsible for making laws that all citizens, organizations, & businesses must follow Balance between them!

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government ***US citizens vote for the president and the Congress!!! Citizens who elected them, AKA constituents are represented by the congress President  only 2 terms, 8 years Representatives  2 years Senators  6 years Members of Congress  many years Years in politics Federal judges  appointed by President & confirmed by Senate *stay in this position for life *they can make impartial decisions based on the constitution & the laws of the US

Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government ** to not give too much power to the government, the constitution limits the power of each branch of federal government; they have separate powers Checks & Balance  this is where each branch has the power to act in ways that affect the other branches Example: President can Veto (reject) laws by congress, but congress can override a presidential veto by repassing the law with a 2/3s majority Judges can review laws and declare them unconstitutional

Lesson 4: The Electoral System 2 Political Parties Republicans Democrats They each represent different ideas about the role of the government The earliest americans traveled from Asia to North America. These americans were called “Native Americans”. They were the first to settle, until an explorer name Christopher Columbus arrived. There were many explorers traveling and discovering the world in the late 1400s. In 1492, CC set out across the Atlantic ocean. He was rejected by multiple Kings, and finally went to Spain and convinced them finance his trip. At first he assumed he found India and later on it was discovered that he actually found the “new world”. After this discovery, European nations set out to conquer what they could. In other terms, they discovered new “colonies”. Was about power, wealth, and place to live Gonzales, Spring 2017

Lesson 4: The Electoral System Election Season Breakdown Their views Platform Candidates within the party compete with each other for the party’s nomination Primary Delegates from each state select the party’s candidate Convention The earliest americans traveled from Asia to North America. These americans were called “Native Americans”. They were the first to settle, until an explorer name Christopher Columbus arrived. There were many explorers traveling and discovering the world in the late 1400s. In 1492, CC set out across the Atlantic ocean. He was rejected by multiple Kings, and finally went to Spain and convinced them finance his trip. At first he assumed he found India and later on it was discovered that he actually found the “new world”. After this discovery, European nations set out to conquer what they could. In other terms, they discovered new “colonies”. Was about power, wealth, and place to live General Election Only 1 from each party Gonzales, Spring 2017

Lesson 4: The Electoral System General Election  citizens vote and electors from each state cast their votes in the Electoral College -candidate who wins the greatest # of votes in the electoral college wins the presidency (270)

Lesson 4: The Electoral System Smaller Parties  3rd party candidates Typically bring great and interesting ideas, but are unable to gain the support Example- Green Party, Jill Stein Independent voters Opinion polls “Swing”  a group of voters can swing the election one way Debates  opposing candidates participate in PACs (Political Action Committees)

Lesson 5: The Role of the Citizen Citizenship  a special relationship between a person and a nation Rights and responsibilities Uphold the laws. Taxes. Vote. National service. Immigrants  come to the US from other countries Can become a citizen through a legal process = Naturalization A right of the citizen is to be able to participate in our nation’s political life Jury  each of us is guaranteed the right to a fair and speedy trial if accused of a crime