1. Lesson Starter
Match the pictures of the Presidents with their names and terms of office.
Barack Obama
2009 – present
Democratic
Lawyer/
Senator
George W. Bush
Republican
Businessman/Governor of Florida
Bill Clinton
Democratic
Lawyer/
Governor of
Arkansas
Richard Nixon
Republican
Lawyer/ Vice
President
John Fitzgerald
Kennedy
Democratic
Congressman/
Senator
Franklin
Delano
Roosevelt
Democratic
Lawyer/
Senator
George W. Bush
Bill Clinton
John F. Kennedy
2009 -
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Richard Nixon
Barack Obama

2. Lesson Focus…
Outlining the principles behind the US system of government
Explaining the roles of each part of the Federal Government 2

3. The US Constitution…
In 1783, the 13 colonies gained independence from Britain and set out to create a new form of government which would ensure that the power to rule could never be held by just one person (such as a monarch).
The Constitution of the USA sets out the rules of government and protects the fundamental rights of US citizens.

4. The US System of Government
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided and shared between a central government and various sub-level governments.
Federal level – this is the government for the whole country. Passes laws and makes decisions which apply to all Americans.
State level – each of the 50 states has its own state government which passes laws and makes decisions which apply to that state only.
Local/County level – governments which make local decisions in relation to schools etc.

5. Federal Government in the USA (The government for the whole country)
The Legislature
The Executive
The Judiciary
Explains and interprets the laws and the constitution
Makes the country’s laws
Administers the country
Congress
House of Senate
Representatives
The President and
The Vice-President
The Supreme Court
Appointed by the President
with the advice and consent of the Senate
Voters Elect

6. The three parts of the US federal government all serve different functions:
The Legislature is the law making part of the Federal Government. Representatives from all 50 States meet at Congress. There are two types of representatives in Congress: Senators and Congressmen/women.
The Judiciary is the court. The highest court in the USA is the Supreme Court to which Americans can appeal if they feel their constitutional rights have been denied. The Supreme Court also has the power to interpret laws.
The Executive is the office of the President. The role of the President is oversee the running of the country and suggest new laws to improve the USA.

7. It is said that the American Constitution is built on three great ideals: compromise, compromise, compromise.
Power was to be divided between the Federal (national) Government and the different states.
2.Congress was to be made up of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the Senate there would be equal representation of all the states and in contrast the HOR would have representation proportional to the population of each state.
3.President would be elected (indirectly) by the people

8. Video Clips
– 3 branches

9. Task
What is the Constitution and why is it important in the USA historically and in the present?
Describe the term federalism.
Explain why COMPROMISE is central to the system of government in the USA.
What are the three branches of government?
Explain what each branch of government does in detail.

10. Why is compromise so important within the US system of government?
Starter Task
Relates to the Constitution
Helps to ensure representation of the people at large
Built into federalism
Why is compromise so important within the US system of government?

11. The US System of Government
Federal
Principles of Government in the USA:
The Separation of Powers
The US Constitution details the way in which government must operate.
The writers of the US Constitution wanted power to be shared, so the Constitution states that there will be a ‘separation of powers’ between the Federal Government (whole of US) and each of the 50 State Governments.
For example, the Federal Government based in Washington has power over the armed forces, foreign policy and the currency.
State Governments (e.g. Texas) have power over issues such as education, use of the death penalty and the age for marriage or driving.
Texas State capitol building

12. The US System of Government
Principles of Government in the USA:
2. Checks and balances
The US Constitution includes a series of checks and balances to reinforce the separation of powers.
These checks create a balance of power, where no one branch of government has too much authority.
Congress can check the power of the President and the Supreme Court can check the power of Congress.
This ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

13. The US System of Government
Principles of Government in the USA:
2. Checks and balances
Furthermore the Constitution cannot be changed unless:
three-quarters of the 50 States agree
two-thirds of representatives in Washington agree
the President agrees.
In practice, the separation of power means that the Federal and State Governments must work together to run the country. In addition, the three parts of the Federal Government check and balance each other.

14. Each branch of government checks the other
Check and Balances
Watch the video clip and take note of two “checks and balance” that each branch carries out
Executive
Judiciary
Legislative

15. The US System of Government
State Governments
Each State has a system of government similar to the Federal Government. For example California has:
A Governor (Jerry Brown, above) who runs the State and suggests new laws or spending plans
A legislative building with two law making bodies – the State Assembly and State Senate As with the Federal Government, the State Assembly members and State Senators must agree before decisions become law. The California Legislative meets in Sacramento - the State capital.
A State Supreme Court which is the highest court of appeal in California and interprets State laws.

16. The US System of Government
Questions
1. Give examples of the powers of the Federal Government and the powers of US State Government.
2. Explain what the effect of the ‘separation of powers’ and the system of ‘checks and balances’ has on the way decisions are taken in the Federal and State Governments.
3. Explain the role of each of the following branches of US Government: The Executive; The Legislative and the Judiciary.

17. Success Criteria
Identify the principles of the US system of government Explain the functions of each part of the Federal Government