1. The USA
US POLITICAL SYSTEM

2. Today we will… Success Criteria….
Describe the 3 branches of government in the USA.
Success Criteria….
I can describe the 3 branches of government in the USA.

3. 3 Branches of Government
The US constitution outlines the system of government in the USA.
There are 3 branches of government.
Discuss each level of government with the pupils.

4. Government in the USA The Supreme Court Appointed by the President
The Legislature
The Executive
The Judiciary
Makes the country’s laws
Administers the country
Explains and interprets the laws and the constitution
Congress
House of Reps = 435 Representatives
Senate = 100 Senators
The Supreme Court
Appointed by the President
with the advice and consent of the Senate
The President and
The Vice-President
Elect
Elect
Voters

5. The Government of the USA – Task 1
Match the correct heads and tails to make four accurate statements about the American Government.
TAILS
…court system that operates in the US.
…of government- Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
…President of the USA, and it carries out the laws passed in Congress.
…makes the laws in the US. i.e. the American Parliament (Congress)
HEADS
The American Government has three branches…
The Legislative Branch refers to the people who…
The Executive Branch is headed by the …
The Judicial Branch is basically the …

6. Executive Branch
The President and their office exercise the EXECUTIVE function.
The Executive Branch consists of the people who carry out the laws which are made.
The President and their staff are empowered to carry out the laws which are made by Congress.

7. Legislative Branch
The LEGISLATIVE Branch contains the people who make the laws.
These are the Senate and the House of Representatives, collectively known as Congress.
The Legislative Branch is the law making branch (Legislation = Laws)
The President is also involved because he has to sign all Bills before they become law.

8. Judicial Branch
The JUDICIAL branch (the judges) determine whether a law passed is allowed by the Constitution, i.e. if it is constitutional.
This function is carried out by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court consists of 9 judges (justices) who are appointed by a President when a previous judge dies or retires.

9. Branches of the US Government
As you watch this clip, write in your jotter anything you don’t understand.
t=19s

10. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances
Americans feel that is dangerous for the 3 branches of government to be concentrated in the hands of one person.
This is why each branch of government is kept separate from the others as set out in the Constitution. This is known as the separation of powers.
There are many checks and balances built into the Constitution to prevent any one group from becoming too powerful.

11. Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances
For a bill to become law in the USA, it has to pass both Houses of Congress (House of Reps and the Senate) and be signed by the President.
Even then the Supreme Court might see it as unconstitutional (meaning the law does not match up with the basic principles of the Constitution.)
Therefore, each branch of government can act as a check on the power of the other two.

12. Task 2 Answer the questions fully in your jotter
What is the purpose of;
The Executive
The legislative
The Judiciary
2. Who appoints the members of these branches?
3. What is the purpose in the separation of powers?

13. Levels of US Government
Federal Government
State Government
City/ County Government

14. Today we will… Success Criteria….
Describe the 3 levels of government in the USA and explain the powers that each level has.
Success Criteria….
I can describe the 3 levels of government in the USA and explain the powers that each level has.

15. Federal Government
The Federal Government deals with matters concerning foreign affairs and the entire country.
The Federal Government is based in Washington DC. Its leader is the President (Currently Donald Trump – Republican). A President is elected every 4 years.
Part of the Federal Government is called Congress – Congress is split into the Senate (100 Senators) and the House of Representatives (435).

16. Powers of the Federal Government
The Armed Forces
The Post office
The currency of the USA (Dollar $)
Disputes between states
Foreign relations, including declaring war

17. State Governments Each of the 50 states has its own government.
The person that runs the state is called a Governor
California’s current Governor is Jerry Brown (Democratic Party).
Each state elects its own version of Congress – State Senate and State House of Representatives.
The State Government can pass laws on matters that only effect the people of that state e.g. on education, law and order, housing etc.
Kim Reynolds, Republican. Current Governor of Iowa

18. Powers of the State Governments
Local laws e.g. age you can drink alcohol, age you can drive a car etc.
Punishments e.g. the form of capital punishment used in a state e.g. firing squad.
Provision of roads, schools and local taxes.

19. City/County Governments
Although each of the states has its own government, these states still have a lot of people in them or cover a large area.
The states are divided into smaller areas called counties (a bit like our councils).
The leader of the city/ county government is the Mayor e.g. L.A’s mayor is Eric Garcetti (Democratic Party).

20. Homework- DUE 12th Nov
Question:
Citizens of world powers have political rights.
Describe, in detail, two political rights that the citizens have in the world power you have studied. In your answer you should state the world power you have studied
Explain, in detail, the purpose of two main political institutions of the government of a world power you have studied. In your answer you should state the world power you have studied

21. Model Answer
One political right American citizens have is the right to protest. People in the USA may protest because they do not agree with a certain issue or law. For example, in 2015 many people in Ferguson, Missouri protested against police brutality following the shooting of an African American teenager by a white police officer . The responsibility when protesting is to do so peacefully and not harm others.

22. Explain, in detail, the purpose of at least 2 main political institutions of the government of a world power you have studied. (6 marks)
One branch of the USA government is the legislative branch. The legislative branch makes the laws for the entire country. It is commonly referred to as the Congress. Congress is split into two different parts; The House of Representatives, which has 435 members and the Senate which has 100 members elected.
Judicial
Executive
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
State government