1. Three Branches of Government
How the United States government is structured and organized.

2. What is the United States government?
Federal Government
Constitutional Republic
The U.S. is a federal state
Union of self-governing states or regions united by a central government
Division of power between component states and the central government
Republican form of government – a form of public matter where officials are elected or appointed
Government established under a constitution
Seeks the rights of individuals and groups within the republic

3. The Constitution
Created by our Founding Fathers (Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, etc.)
Grew out of problems with the Articles of Confederation
Created from the Constitutional Convention
Consists of the Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendments) and other Amendments

4. Democratic Nation
The U.S. is also a democratic nation in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives
Promotes voting rights and equal say for the government
Encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions

5. Voting & Election Process
Voting rights given to the people from the U.S. Constitution & the form of government
Every citizen allowed to vote in their respective county and state
Citizens can vote on electing officials and representatives and referendums
Federal elections occur every two years on the first Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November
Votes for new President every four years
Electoral College dictates Presidential Candidate

6. Checks & Balances
Originated from the writings of Montesquieu in “The Spirit of the Laws”
Separated into three powers by the U.S. Constitution: Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches
System created to have an equal government where each branch does not have more power than the other

7. Legislative Branch
Comprised of Congress: House of Representatives and Senate
Sole power to legislate and enact laws
Powers include: -Writes and enacts laws -Declares war -May start investigations -Creates Presidential appoint. -Senate ratifies treaties -House of Representatives may impeach

8. Executive Branch
Executive Branch consists of the U.S. President and his cabinet
President becomes Commander in Chief
Powers include: -May veto laws -Wages war at the direction of Congress -Makes decrees or declarations -Appoints judges and executive department heads

9. Judiciary Branch Power to decide cases and controversies
Consists of the U.S. Supreme Court
Consists of 9 judges that are appointed by the President
Determines… -Which laws Congress intended to apply to any given case -Whether a law is unconstitutional -How Congress meant the law to apply to disputes -Polices its own members

10. How Checks & Balances Work

11. Central & State Government
Under the 10th Amendment, all powers are not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people
All state governments are modeled after the federal government
Also consists of three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial
Constitution mandates that all states uphold a republican form of government

12. Thank you!
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