1. USA & the Wider World
Leaving Cert History

2. The government of the USA
Federal government
The Executive
The Legislature
The Judiciary

3. The Executive
The President
Runs the Country
Assisted by Ministers (Secretaries of State)

4. The President Enforcing the laws of the nation
Acts as Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces
Conducts foreign Affairs and negotiates treaties
Appoints government officials
Elected by the electoral college

5. Presidents since WW2
Harry S. Truman

6. Presidents since WW2
Dwight D. Eisenhower

7. Presidents since WW2
John F. Kennedy

8. Presidents since WW2
Lyndon B. Johnson

9. Presidents since WW2
Richard M. Nixon

10. Presidents since WW2
Gerald Ford

11. Presidents since WW2
Jimmy Carter

12. Presidents since WW2
Ronald Reagan

13. The electoral college Complicated system for electing US President
Voters in each state choose delegates for an Electoral College. Based on population size
All delegates must vote for the candidate who gets a majority in their state
Possible that President can win without having a majority.

14. Electoral college 2012

15. Legislature Lower House – House of Representatives
435 members – based on population
California 53 members – Alaska 1 member
Elected every two years
Main responsibility – taxation and budget

16. Legislature Upper House – House of Senators
100 members – 2 from each state
Elected every six years
Main responsibility – Foreign Affairs
Any new treaties must be passed by a 2/3 majority

17. Law-making Process
Bill introduced and passed by both Houses of Congress
Signed into Law by President
Checked by Supreme Court that it is constitutional
President can veto bill
Congress overturn veto by 2/3 majority vote

18. Supreme Court Interprets the Constitution
Checks that Federal and State laws comply with constitution
Rulings can be changed by later ruling or by amendment to Constitution
Nine Judges – appointed for life
Only removed by impeachment and convicted by Senate.
Very Powerful

19. Political Parties
Republicans – pro-big-business on economic issues and conservative on social issues. Want as little government interference as possible. Low public spending – low taxation.
Democrats – pro-big-business on economic issues and liberal on social issues. More willing for government involvement in economic issues.

20. Federal V State
Rights given to States to prevent Federal Government becoming too powerful
Individual States control business legislation, transport, police, education. Decides on whether or not to have the death penalty.
Shared responsibility – taxation, health care, social welfare, natural resources. FBI deals with crime in more than one state.

21. Tensions - Federal V State
Civil War – over the rights of the Southern States
After WW2 Supreme Court declared state laws that discriminated against black Americans unconstitutional.
Eisenhower sent troops into Little Rock Arkansas to enforce Supreme Court ruling that ended segregation in education.

22. Presentation prepared by: Dominic Haugh
St. Particks Comprehensive School
Shannon
Co. Clare
Presentation can be used for educational purposes only – all rights remain with author