1. Understanding our Government
Citizenship Handbook
Understanding our Government

2. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution
Ancient Rome
Republic
Government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
Dictatorship
Government in which one person or a small group holds complete authority
Plan of the Framers
They hoped to emulate the Roman Republic
People willing to serve in public office
The people serving do so for the good of the country
Planned to avoid a dictatorship
Roman Republic faltered when citizens began to value comfort and luxury more than freedom and public service
They planned to build a system where informed, independent citizens play an active role

3. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution
Two Historic Documents
Magna Carta
British Nobles forced King John to sign this in 1215
English Bill of Rights
Issued by Queen Mary in 1689
How these documents affected us?
They created an English tradition of liberty
They provided some principles which we put into our own government
Citizens have rights which government must protect
Even the head of government must obey the law
Taxes cannot be raised without the consent of the people
Elections should be held frequently
Right to trial by jury and habeas corpus
People have the right to private property

4. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution
Teachings of the Enlightenment
John Locke
People have natural rights – life, liberty, property
Government exists to protect those rights
If government fails – the people have a right to rebel
Montesquieu
Separation of powers
Powers of government should be divided between three branches
Representative Traditions & The Declaration
From early on all the colonies had some government
House of burgesses, mayflower compact, written charter that defined powers of their government
Jefferson called on these when writing the declaration
He used the ‘violations’ to create a list of grievances

5. Part 2: Structure of the Constitution
Three Parts
Preamble
Outlines 6 basic goals for the new government (see page 254)
Defense, Welfare, Tranquility, Justice, Union, Liberty
Articles
There are 7 of them
The establish the framework for the whole government
1-3 establish the 3 branches
4 deals with relations between states
5 tells how to change the constitution
6 Constitution is top dog!
7 how to ratify
Amendments
There are 27 of them – these are official changes to the Constitution

6. Part 3: Principles of the Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
The people give the power to the government
Limited Government
Government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it
Separation of powers
Further limits the government – one branch has its own duties
They cant do the job of another branch – nobody can become too strong
Page 256 diagram
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government can limit the power of the other 2
Page 257 diagram

7. Part 3: Principles of the Constitution
Federalism
Power is divided between the federal government and the state governments
Republicanism
We elect people to represent us in government
Individual Rights
Government protects our individual freedoms

8. Part 4: The Legislative Branch
The Senate
Based on equal representation (2 senators from each state)
They serve 6 year terms
The House
Based on proportionate representation (435 total)
Elected for 2 year terms
Power of Congress
They make the laws
Introduce a bill which is a proposal
The bill is debated on, changed, amended, and voted on
When it passes one of the houses – it is sent to the other
When it passes both houses – it goes to the president for approval
Congressional Committees
Special groups that focus on different issues (education, defense, transportation etc.)

9. Part 5: Executive Branch
Powers of the President
Make appointments
Commander in chief
Veto bills
Negotiate treaties
Propose laws……
Grant pardons
Direct government policy
Electing the President
It’s a complex system for a simple process
Voters do not actually vote for the ‘president’
They vote for a group of chosen electors who pledge to cast their vote for that candidate
States get votes according to their population (equal to the number of senators and reps a state has)

10. Part 6: The Judicial Branch
Courts
Lower Courts
District and appeals courts hear cases
Jurisdiction
Power to hear and decide a case
Appeal
Ask that a decision be reviewed by a higher court
Supreme Court
Justices appointed by the president and approved by conress
Their job is to review laws and lower court cases
They are the last and highest court in the land
Judicial Review
The Supreme Court can declare laws to be unconstitutional
This is their check/balance

11. Part 7: Amending the Constitution
Article V of the Constitution
Allows ways to Amend or ‘change’
Proposing and Amendment
Congress can propose an amendment if:
Both the house and the senate vote for a change
All 27 amendments have been done this way
States can propose an amendment
34 states must call for a national convention and formally propose an amendment
Ratifying
To become a change the proposal must be approved by the states
Two ways
38 state legislatures pass it (75%)
State conventions can pass it (special meetings to discuss an issue)
Only the 21st was passed this way

12. Part 7: Amending the Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Since the Constitution controls how government works people wanted to make sure that there was a way to protect their rights
The bill of rights was added after the constitution was ratified
It contains 10 amendments
These protect the rights of individuals and states from government abuses

13. Part 8: The First Amendment
Freedom of Religion
Ability to choose, follow, and create religions
Freedom of Speech
You can speak your mind in our country
Freedom of Assembly
Peacefully assemble in protest or support of a cause
Freedom of the Press
Press has a right and RESPONSIBILITY to report the TRUTH!
Know libel, censorship, and dissent

14. Part 9: State and Local Governments
States resemble the Federal government
Divided into three branches (L-E-J)
Governor is the executive
State Services
Law enforcement, transportation, parks, schools
Local Governments
City Council and Mayor
Most $$$ in a community is spent on education
Local governments interact with us daily
Firefighters, police officers, city workers etc.

15. Part 10: Rights and Responsibilities
Becoming and American Citizen
Must fulfill one of the following 3 requirements
Born in the U.S. or have a parent as a U.S. Citizen
Naturalized
Be 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized
Becoming naturalized
Live legally in the U.S. for 5 years
Apply for citizenship
Take a citizenship examination and go through interviews
Take a citizenship oath before a judge

16. Part 10: Rights and Responsibilities
Rights of Citizens
You have all the rights guaranteed in the constitution
The right to further protection from established laws
Responsibilities of Citizens
You MUST
Obey state, federal, and local laws
Pay your fair share of taxes
Serve on juries if called
Defend the nation if called
You should
Vote
Stay informed
Serve the community
Help create a just society