The Government of the USA

The American Constitution Written in 1783 by the Founding FathersWritten in 1783 by the Founding Fathers A set of rules describing how a country should be runA set of rules describing how a country should be run Tells the government what they can and cannot doTells the government what they can and cannot do Tells all citizens of their rights and responsibilities.Tells all citizens of their rights and responsibilities.

How the Government is organised There is one government for the whole of the USA – this is called the FEDERAL governmentThere is one government for the whole of the USA – this is called the FEDERAL government The President is the head of the Federal GovernmentThe President is the head of the Federal Government There are also 50 STATE governmentsThere are also 50 STATE governments Each one makes smaller laws for their own stateEach one makes smaller laws for their own state The Head of a State Government is called the GOVERNORThe Head of a State Government is called the GOVERNOR

The Three Branches of Government To make sure no one person or group became too powerful the founding fathers created “3 BRANCHES OF POWER” which would each keep a check on the other 2. To make sure no one person or group became too powerful the founding fathers created “3 BRANCHES OF POWER” which would each keep a check on the other 2. This is known as the “SEPERATION OF POWERS” This is known as the “SEPERATION OF POWERS”

The Three Branches of Government

Elections in the USA The President is elected every 4 yearsThe President is elected every 4 years Congressional elections are held every 2 yearsCongressional elections are held every 2 years Representatives serve a two year term and are all put up for election at the same timeRepresentatives serve a two year term and are all put up for election at the same time Senators serve for 6 years. Every 2 years, one third of senators (approx 33) are up for electionSenators serve for 6 years. Every 2 years, one third of senators (approx 33) are up for election 33 34

What does each Branch do?? LEGISLATIVE (congress) Makes the Laws of the USA EXECUTIVE (White House) Makes sure laws are carried out by every state JUDICIAL (Supreme Court) Ensures laws are constitutional

CONGRESS Congress is America’s Parliament. It is made up of two Houses. Congress is America’s Parliament. It is made up of two Houses. The Upper House is called “THE SENATE”. Every state (50) elects 2 Senators to represent them in the Senate. There are 100 Senators The Upper House is called “THE SENATE”. Every state (50) elects 2 Senators to represent them in the Senate. There are 100 Senators altogether. altogether. The Lower House is called “THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES”. Every state elects a number of Congressmen/women to represent them in the House of Reps. There are 435 altogether. The Lower House is called “THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES”. Every state elects a number of Congressmen/women to represent them in the House of Reps. There are 435 altogether.