Types of government systems Unitary system- system of government that gives all key powers to the national government. Federal System-national and state governments share power. Autocracy- a single individual maintains power through military or police power. Oligarchy- a few people or small group holds power

Types of democracy Direct democracy-everyone votes on every issue. Republican democracy- citizens vote for representatives who are given the authority to make laws.

Vocabulary Consensus- when most people agree Levy or levied- means to collect something, usually taxes Magna Carta- means “Great Charter” A document in England that limited the power of the King in 1215.

Branches of Government Judicial Branch-interprets laws Executive Branch- enforces laws Legislative Branch- makes laws Having these three branches of government is what is called Separation of Powers.

The Constitutional Convention Held in Philidelphia in 1787 towrite the Constitution

Plans for Constitution Va Plan NJ Plan Wanted states with the largest population to have the most representation in Congress. Wanted every state to have equal representation in Congress.

Compromise: Congress would have 2 Houses. House of Representatives Senate The states with the greatest population would have more representatives in this house. There are 438 today. Each State would have 2 Senators. Today there are 100 Senators.

3/5 Compromise A slave will count as 3/5 of a person toward the population.

The first two political parties Federalists Anti-Federalists Supported the new Constitution and a strong national government. Did not like the new Constitution and wanted power to remain with the state governments.

Compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists before the Constitution was accepted Members at the Constitutional Convention agreed that one of the first things the new Congress would create was a Bill of Rights to protect specific rights of people.

Ratify- to make into law. To approve Ratify- to make into law. To approve. Before the Constitution became law, 9 of the 13 states had to ratify it.

Parts of the Constitution Preamble- explains why the Constitution is being written; “to form a more perfect union” “establish justice” “Ensure domestic tranquility”

Article 1 Power and Structure of Congress Creates a 2 House Congress House of Representatives; where representatives of each state are chosen based on the states population. Senate; Each state has an equal number of senators.

Powers of Congress in Article 1 Regulate Commerce between states. Declare War Congress has the “power of the purse.” They control taxing and spending. These are expressed powers in the Constitution

Article II: The President (Executive) States the qualifications to be president. Must be a native born citizen You must be 35 years old You have to have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Powers of the President Appoints Federal Judges/ Justices BUT Congress must approve them. Can Veto Laws passed by Congress. (He says no to a law)

Article III, The Supreme Court Once justices have their job, they can have it for life. Jurisdiction of federal courts: bankruptcy, crimes that happen on the ocean or sea, or if the act of a crime crosses state boarders.

Article IV, “Full Faith and Credit” clause Every state will respect the decisions of other states concerning “Public acts, records, and judicial proceedings.”