There are 3 different levels of the government: Marsh Our Government Study Guide Vocabulary Election- the process in which a citizen votes for people to represent them Tax- money paid to the government Council- a group of people elected to make rules and solve problems Mayor- a person who heads the government or community County- an area of the state or country that includes several communities Capitol- the building where leaders of the state meet to make laws Governor- the head of the state whose main job is to carry out state laws 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) Separation of Powers- power divided between the 3 branches of government Monument- a building or statue that helps people remember a person or event Direct Democracy- a system in which all citizens meet together to govern themselves Representative Democracy- a system in which citizens elect leaders to represent them in government There are 3 different levels of the government: -Local -State -National

Local Government How do they get their leaders? 3 Branches of What do they do? The local government makes laws and provides services you use every day. - ex.) Bike riders must wear helmets Taxes are collected on land, houses, and things we buy to pay for may things in our community. - Local taxes help pay for schools, police and fire protection and library services How do they get their leaders? The citizens in a community vote for people to represent them. The leader of a local government is a MAYOR County Government Citizens vote for sheriffs and commissioners Commissioners run county government 3 Branches of Local Government City council - group of officials who make rules or laws Mayor - works with the council to make decisions 3. Courts - decides if a law has been broken Mayor of Springfield Jeff Ambrose

State Government What is a state government? 3 Branches of the Citizens elect people to lead their state government -That person is called the governor Those leaders work in the state capitol. -Our state capital is in Atlanta Georgia. 3 Branches of the State Government . Lawmakers- make laws  Senate and House of Representatives . Governor- signs laws, carries out laws A governor can Veto a law- this means stop it. . Judges- make sure state laws follow the state and national constitutions Also decided punishment when laws are broken Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal State Government Taxes and Services Taxes State government collects taxes too. Tax money is used to pay for new state roads, schools, and hospitals. Services Departments that make sure our land and water are clean Departments that hire police officers Departments that pick what we learn in school!!!

*Each branch of the government has a job to do* National Government National government leaders meet and work in Washington, D.C. The nation’s government is made up of 3 branches. The main role of the national government is to protect citizens’ rights. 3 Branches of the National Government *Each branch of the government has a job to do* . Legislative Branch- also known as Congress Congress is divided into two parts Senate House of Representatives Their job is to MAKE LAWS! . Executive Branch- CARRIES OUT LAWS The president is the head of this branch He either approves or rejects laws made by Congress. . Judicial Branch- DECIDES WHAT THE LAW MEANS and if the law obeys the Constitution. The head of this branch is the Supreme Court Barack Obama 44th United States President United States Supreme Court Judges

Government Buildings National Monuments Two Kinds of Democracy Many United States government buildings were made to look like building from Athens, Greece. They did this because Athens was home to the first DEMOCRACY! This means they voted for their leaders like we do. Things we copied from ancient Athens: Columns Carvings Marble steps National Monuments Supreme Court Building The Parthenon Washington Monument -550 ft tall. Lincoln Monument Two Kinds of Democracy Direct Democracy- citizens vote directly for leaders and on issues. Citizens in Athens had a direct democracy Representative Democracy- citizens choose other citizens to represent them. The United states is a representative democracy

Brace Map of the Levels and Branches of Government