United States Government Vocabulary PowerPoint Presentation By: Danielle Walters 2007

Government Made up of the rules or laws that we follow and the people who run our country.

Republic A type of government like the United States in which the leaders are elected.

Represent To make decisions for someone else, like government leaders who are elected do for the people who elect them. House of Representatives Louisiana has 7 Representatives Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu

Democracy A type of government like the United States in which every citizen has a right (and a responsibility) to take part in government.

Just to recap… So far we know that our GOVERNMENT is a REPUBLIC, meaning that our leaders are elected. In some countries, leaders are chosen, not elected and the people have no say in who their leaders are! Wouldn’t that be terrible? Aren’t we lucky that we get to choose? Our government is also a DEMOCRACY in which our elected leaders REPRESENT us. (This is also sometimes called a representative democracy.) In some countries, the number of leaders that make decisions for the people aren’t evenly divided by the number of people they represent like ours are. We get to elect the people we want to represent us! Way to go, America!

Got It So far ? ? ?

Great ! Let’s Learn More !

Citizen An official member of a country. You can be born there, or you can complete a legal process to become a citizen of a country.

Constitution The document written by the founders of our country (called “The Founding Fathers”) that established a wise plan for governing our country. It is a “living document” meaning it can be (and has been) “amended,” or changed many times as needed.

Washingon, D.C. The capital city of the United States; where our national government meets and where the President lives in the White House.

Federal A system of government (like ours) in which the national, state and local governments share power. State Government National Government Local (City & Parish) Governments

Just to recap… Now we know that to be a CITIZEN you must be born here or complete a process to be one, and that being a CITZEN comes with responsibilities. (We’ll learn more about that later. ) We also know that our CONSTITUTION is “the law of the land” and was written by our “Founding Fathers.” It has been amended (changed) many times. WASHINGTON, D.C. is our nation’s capital where the Congress works and where the President lives in the White House and works. A FEDERAL system of government means that the local, state and national (sometimes called FEDERAL itself) governments share control.

Wow ! You know a LOT !

You might be ready to run the government yourself !

Your teacher says NOT JUST YET ! ! !

OK… let’s learn a little more so you’ll be ready soon!

Legislative Branch of Government The part of our government that makes laws. Congress is responsible for this part and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Sometimes they are referred to as the “Legislature.”

United States Capitol Building The building located in Washington, D.C. where the Congress, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate (or, the Legislative Branch of our government) meets to do their work.

Executive Branch of Government The part of our government in charge of enforcing our nation’s laws, or making sure they are carried out fairly. The President is the head of the Executive Branch. The Vice-President is also a part of the Executive Branch and is in charge if something happens to the President. President George W. Bush Vice President Dick Cheney

White House The house located in Washington, D.C. where the President of the United States lives and works.

Judicial Branch of Government The part of our government in charge of interpreting our laws. (Interpreting is to make sense of something/decide what it means.) This branch of government is made up of judges. Judges in the federal (national) courts decide whether laws follow the Constitution.

Supreme Court This is our nation’s highest (most important) court. It’s made up of 9 judges called Justices. They are appointed (chosen) by the President and approved by members of the Senate.

Is Your Brain FULL Yet ? ? ?

Let’s Recap... United States Government Legislative Branch House of RepresentativesSenate Executive Branch President Vice President Judicial Branch Supreme Court Other Courts (Federal, State & Local)

Now we know: The Legislative Branch = Congress = House of Representatives + Senate= Legislature... They’re all the same thing! They work in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., and they’re responsible for MAKING LAWS.

Now we know: The Executive Branch = The President + Vice President And they’re in charge of ENFORCING LAWS. The President lives and works in the Washington, D.C. in the White House. If something happens to the President, the Vice President takes over.

Now we know: The judicial branch = The Supreme Court + all other courts (federal + state+ local). The Supreme Court has 9 Justices. These Justices are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court and other Federal courts decide if laws follow the Constitution.

You’ve learned an awful lot!

Just two more facts and you might be ready to be President yourself!

Ready?

You Sure?

Ok…here we go!

Amendment A change to the Constitution. (We talked about this earlier.) The Constitution is a “living document” meaning that it can be changed, and these changes are called Amendments. Amendments have outlawed slavery and given women the right to vote among other things! Amending the Constitution is very serious and must be voted on by the members of Congress (who represent the people).

Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution. These guaranteed freedom of religion, free speech, freedom of the press, the right to bear arms, the right to a fair trial, and other essential rights.

Ok ! So... THE BILL OF RIGHTS were the 1 st 10 amendments to our Constitution that established our essential rights. The Constitution is a “living document” and can be changed by adding an AMENDMENT. To amend the Constitution, the legislature must vote on it.

Ready to run the country?

Ok…here are some facts about being President: You must be a U.S. Citizen…

And at least 35 years old ! ! !

Sorry! You can’t be President! (At least not yet!)

BUT, KEEP LEARNING ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT. IT’S NEVER TO EARLY TO START THAT CAMPAIGN… YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY: YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO, “YOU COULD EVEN BE PRESIDENT SOME DAY!”

Want to learn more? Here are some cool web sites to check out: /execbush.html /execbush.html

THE END !