1. Social Studies Civics & Government GED Support
Kristina Gonzales, BS, MHA

2. Civics & Government
Gonzales, Fall 2017

3. Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U.S. System
The US government  Representative democracy
Citizens vote to elect representatives
Democracy
“rule of the people”
Other Forms of Government:
Monarchy  “rule of 1 person”
Aristocracy  “rule of elite class”
Theocracy  “rule of church”
Anarchy  “rule of mob” VS
Authoritarian Rule
dictatorship
The earliest americans traveled from Asia to North America. These americans were called “Native Americans”. They were the first to settle, until an explorer name Christopher Columbus arrived. There were many explorers traveling and discovering the world in the late 1400s. In 1492, CC set out across the Atlantic ocean. He was rejected by multiple Kings, and finally went to Spain and convinced them finance his trip. At first he assumed he found India and later on it was discovered that he actually found the “new world”.
After this discovery, European nations set out to conquer what they could. In other terms, they discovered new “colonies”.
Was about power, wealth, and place to live
Gonzales, Spring 2017

4. Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U.S. System
Important to development of democracy:
Signing of the Magna Carta: England 1215
This limited the king’s rule & subjecting his decisions to review
Development of the legal document  habeas corpus
Made it illegal for government to hold or imprison individuals without granting them trials
As a review of the King’s decisions
Parliament
A government formed
by a party holding
A majority of seats
in the parliament
Parliament Democracy

5. Lesson 1: Historic Basis for U.S. System
Age of Enlightenment (17 & 18th century)  the spread of democracy
These countries adopted Bill of Rights
The Era philosophies  reason and individual rights and encouraged government by the people
“The Enlightenment” philosophers = Adam Smith, John Locke, Voltaire

6. Lesson 2: Constitutional Government
Foundation of national government = the Constitution of the U.S.
U.S.
Republic
form of government in which citizens elect the people who will govern them
Different from…monarchy or dictatorship

7. Lesson 2: Constitutional Government
The Constitution breakdown:
Preamble  introduction; particular goals for the nation
Articles  (7); provide 3 branches of government, establish the rights of the state, set forth procedures for ratifying & amending the constitution
Amendments  proposed by congress if supported by 2/3 majority in both house & senate
We the People…

8. Lesson 2: Constitutional Government
The 1st 10 Amendments passed 1791
Became the Bill of Rights
Rights of the citizens
13th = outlawed slavery 1865
15th = rights of citizens based on race, color, etc. 1870
19th = women right to vote 1920
24th = banned poll taxes 1964
26th = voting age to

9. Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government
Layers of Government:
Works across all 50 states
National
Federal
Have their own constitutions
State
Local
Federalism  basic principle of the US constitution ; power shared between the national & state levels of government
This protects the rights of individual states, but national government enforce certain rights

10. Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government
Judicial Branch
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Made up of the federal court system including Supreme Court
President and various advisors (cabinet) & government departments
Consists of 2 Houses of Congress
House of Representatives
Senate
-decides disputes related to laws
-enforces the nation’s laws & provides national leadership, goals, & policies
-responsible for making laws that all citizens, organizations, & businesses must follow
Balance between them!

11. Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government
***US citizens vote for the president and the Congress!!!
Citizens who elected them, AKA constituents are represented by the congress
President  only 2 terms, 8 years
Representatives  2 years
Senators  6 years
Members of Congress  many years
Years in politics
Federal judges  appointed by President & confirmed by Senate
*stay in this position for life
*they can make impartial decisions based on the constitution & the laws of the US

12. Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government
** to not give too much power to the government, the constitution limits the power of each branch of federal government; they have separate powers
Checks & Balance  this is where each branch has the power to act in ways that affect the other branches
Example: President can Veto (reject) laws by congress, but congress can override a presidential veto by repassing the law with a 2/3s majority
Judges can review laws and declare them unconstitutional

13. Lesson 4: The Electoral System
2 Political Parties
Republicans
Democrats
They each represent different ideas about the role of the government
The earliest americans traveled from Asia to North America. These americans were called “Native Americans”. They were the first to settle, until an explorer name Christopher Columbus arrived. There were many explorers traveling and discovering the world in the late 1400s. In 1492, CC set out across the Atlantic ocean. He was rejected by multiple Kings, and finally went to Spain and convinced them finance his trip. At first he assumed he found India and later on it was discovered that he actually found the “new world”.
After this discovery, European nations set out to conquer what they could. In other terms, they discovered new “colonies”.
Was about power, wealth, and place to live
Gonzales, Spring 2017

14. Lesson 4: The Electoral System
Election Season Breakdown
Their views
Platform
Candidates within the party compete with each other for the party’s nomination
Primary
Delegates from each state select the party’s candidate
Convention
The earliest americans traveled from Asia to North America. These americans were called “Native Americans”. They were the first to settle, until an explorer name Christopher Columbus arrived. There were many explorers traveling and discovering the world in the late 1400s. In 1492, CC set out across the Atlantic ocean. He was rejected by multiple Kings, and finally went to Spain and convinced them finance his trip. At first he assumed he found India and later on it was discovered that he actually found the “new world”.
After this discovery, European nations set out to conquer what they could. In other terms, they discovered new “colonies”.
Was about power, wealth, and place to live
General Election
Only 1 from each party
Gonzales, Spring 2017

15. Lesson 4: The Electoral System
General Election  citizens vote and electors from each state cast their votes in the Electoral College -candidate who wins the greatest # of votes in the electoral college wins the presidency (270)

16. Lesson 4: The Electoral System
Smaller Parties  3rd party candidates
Typically bring great and interesting ideas, but are unable to gain the support
Example- Green Party, Jill Stein
Independent voters
Opinion polls
“Swing”  a group of voters can swing
the election one way
Debates  opposing candidates participate in
PACs (Political Action Committees)

17. Lesson 5: The Role of the Citizen
Citizenship  a special relationship between a person and a nation
Rights and responsibilities
Uphold the laws. Taxes. Vote. National service.
Immigrants  come to the US from other countries
Can become a citizen through a legal process = Naturalization
A right of the citizen is to be able to participate in our nation’s political life
Jury  each of us is guaranteed the right to a fair and speedy trial if accused of a crime