1. There are 3 different levels of the government:
Marsh
Our Government
Study Guide
Vocabulary
Election- the process in which a citizen votes for people to represent them
Tax- money paid to the government
Council- a group of people elected to make rules and solve problems
Mayor- a person who heads the government or community
County- an area of the state or country that includes several communities
Capitol- the building where leaders of the state meet to make laws
Governor- the head of the state whose main job is to carry out state laws
Legislative Branch- branch of the government that makes laws (Congress)
Executive Branch- branch of the government that signs laws ( President)
Judicial Branch- branch of the government that enforces laws (Supreme Court)
Separation of Powers- power divided between the 3 branches of government
Monument- a building or statue that helps people remember a person or event
Direct Democracy- a system in which all citizens meet together to govern themselves
Representative Democracy- a system in which citizens elect leaders to represent them in government
There are 3 different levels of the government:
-Local
-State
-National

2. Local Government How do they get their leaders? 3 Branches of
What do they do?
The local government makes laws and provides
services you use every day.
- ex.) Bike riders must wear helmets
Taxes are collected on land, houses, and things
we buy to pay for may things in our community.
- Local taxes help pay for schools, police and
fire protection and library services
How do they get their leaders?
The citizens in a community vote for
people to represent them.
The leader of a local government is a MAYOR
County Government
Citizens vote
for sheriffs and commissioners
Commissioners
run county government
3 Branches of
Local Government
City council - group of officials who make rules or laws
Mayor - works with
the council to make
decisions
3. Courts - decides if a law has been broken
Mayor of Springfield
Jeff Ambrose

3. State Government What is a state government? 3 Branches of the
Citizens elect people to lead their state government
-That person is called the governor
Those leaders work in the state capitol.
-Our state capital is in Atlanta Georgia.
3 Branches of the
State Government
. Lawmakers- make laws 
Senate and House of Representatives
. Governor- signs laws, carries out laws
A governor can Veto a law- this means stop it.
. Judges- make sure state laws follow the state and national
constitutions
Also decided punishment when laws are broken
Governor of Georgia
Nathan Deal
State Government
Taxes and Services
Taxes
State government collects taxes too.
Tax money is used to pay for new state roads, schools, and hospitals.
Services
Departments that make sure our land and water are clean
Departments that hire police officers
Departments that pick what we learn in school!!!

4. *Each branch of the government has a job to do*
National Government
National government leaders meet and work in Washington, D.C.
The nation’s government is made up of 3 branches.
The main role of the national government is to protect citizens’ rights.
3 Branches of the
National Government
*Each branch of the government has a job to do*
. Legislative Branch- also known as Congress
Congress is divided into two parts
Senate
House of Representatives
Their job is to MAKE LAWS!
. Executive Branch- CARRIES OUT LAWS
The president is the head of this branch
He either approves or rejects laws made by Congress.
. Judicial Branch- DECIDES WHAT THE LAW MEANS and if the law
obeys the Constitution.
The head of this branch is the Supreme Court
Barack Obama
44th
United States President
United States Supreme Court
Judges

5. Government Buildings National Monuments Two Kinds of Democracy
Many United States government buildings were made to look like building from Athens, Greece.
They did this because Athens was home to the first DEMOCRACY!
This means they voted for their leaders like we do.
Things we copied from ancient Athens:
Columns
Carvings
Marble steps
National Monuments
Supreme Court Building
The Parthenon
Washington Monument
-550 ft tall.
Lincoln Monument
Two Kinds of Democracy
Direct Democracy- citizens vote directly for leaders and on issues.
Citizens in Athens had a direct democracy
Representative Democracy- citizens choose other citizens to represent them.
The United states is a representative democracy

6. Brace Map of the
Levels and Branches
of Government