Civics EOC Exam Preparation

Welcome!

Sit in groups of four at each table.

Presenter

Mr. Hough

Do not doodle on the dry erase

boards.

Topic

The Three Branches of Government as

Established in the U.S. Constitution

Benchmark Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established in the Constitution. SS.7.C.3.3

Benchmark Clarifications Students will recognize the

structure of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Students will compare the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of the federal government.

Students will identify the general powers described in Articles I, II,

and III of the U.S. Constitution. SS.7.C.3.3

Content Limit Items will not include comparison of U.S. government to other forms of government. SS.7.C.3.3

Stimulus Attribute Items addressing the structure and function of the three branches of government may use historical and contemporary documents and other relevant stimuli (e.g., maps, timelines, charts, graphs, tables).

Content Focus Additional items may include, but are not limited to, the following: approval of presidential appointments, armed forces, coin and print money, concurrent powers, declare war, delegated powers, elastic clause, numerated powers, foreign relations, impeachment, implied powers, naturalization laws, necessary and proper, regulation of immigration, and regulation of trade.

The U.S. Capitol Where the U.S. Congress debates and passes laws.

Article I – Purpose

Created Congress: the legislative (law-making) branch of the federal government

Congress is divided into 2 chambers (parts): the Senate, and the House of Representatives

Expressed (Written) Powers of Congress

Create taxes (tax bills start in the House of Reps.) Regulate commerce with foreign nations and between

the states Establish naturalization laws Establish post offices Create courts (other than the U.S. Supreme Court) Create and fund military forces Declare war against another country Coin and print money Senate: approve presidential nominations Senate: approve treaties To make laws that are “necessary and proper” for

executing expressed powers; called implied powers; also know as the elastic clause (government stretches to do the job it needs to do)

Checks over Executive Branch Impeach (House) and convict (Senate) executive

branch officials (president, vice-president, department heads, etc.)

Override presidential veto with 2/3 majority vote (both houses)

Senate: can reject presidential appointments Senate: can refuse to approve treaties Pass an Amendment (which president cannot

veto) Check over Judicial Branch Impeach and convict judges Can reject appointment of judges Can pass an Amendment (which cannot be ruled

unconstitutional)

The Senate (“upper” house) Each state has 2 senators (total =

100) Senators are elected every 6 years

(1/3 every 2 years, in 3 “classes”) To run for the Senate: 30 years old,

citizen of the U.S. for nine years, resident of the state elected in

The Vice-President of the U.S. is the “President” of the Senate; he votes only to break a tie

When the Vice-President is not present, the “President pro-tempore” is in charge

Florida’s senators: Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio

Vice-President and President of the Senate:

Joseph Biden (D)

President pro-tempore

of the Senate:

Dennis Leahy (D – VT)

<<< Bill Nelson (D – FL)

Marco Rubio (R - FL) >>>

House of Representatives (“lower” house) Each state has a number of

representatives based on its population; all get at least 1 (current total = 435)

All representatives are elected every 2 years

To run for the House: at least 25 years old, citizen of the U.S. for seven years, resident of the state and district elected in

The leader of the House is called the “Speaker”

Florida has 27 representatives

House Speaker:

John Boehner (R – OH)

Florida District 17

Rep.: Thomas Rooney (R – FL)

The White House in Washington, D.C. Where the President lives and works.

Article II – Purpose

Created the offices of President and Vice-President: the executive (law-enforcing) branch of the federal government

Executive Branch Roles/Powers

The President is…

Chief Executive: carries out the nation’s laws; appoints heads of executive branch agencies

Chief Diplomat: signs treaties with foreign countries (with the approval of the Senate)

Head of State: receives foreign leaders, presides over official government ceremonies

Commander in Chief: leads the nation’s armed forces

Legislative Leader: proposes new laws to Congress Economic Leader: creates the federal government’s

budget, encourages American business growth Party Leader: Assists fellow part members who are

trying to get elected or reelected

Check over Legislative Branch Vetoes (forbids) laws passed by Congress Check over Judicial Branch Appoints federal judges (with the approval of the Senate)

The President

Elected every 4 years; 22nd Amendment states that a President can serve for two terms (8 years total)

To run for President: must

be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the U.S. for 14 years

President Barack

Obama (D)

The Vice President Elected with the President

(12th Amendment) To run for V.P. you must

have the same qualifications as President

If the President resigns, dies, or becomes incapable of performing their duties, the V.P. becomes President

Vice-President

Joseph Biden (D)

The Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Where the Supreme Court hears arguments about and makes

decisions on major legal cases.

Article III – Purpose Created the U.S.

Supreme Court: the judicial (law-interpreting) branch of the federal government

Other “inferior”

federal courts are created by Congress

U.S. Supreme Court’s Powers Final appellate court Judicial Review (established by the

Judiciary Act of 1789 and in Marbury v. Madison): review acts of Congress, the President, and the states to determine their constitutionality

Has original jurisdiction in cases that… o Involve the United States as a party oInvolve state vs. state conflicts oInvolve ambassadors

Check over Legislative Branch Can declare acts of Congress

unconstitutional Check over Executive Branch Can declare presidential actions

unconstitutional

The Supreme Court Made up of nine “Justices”

(judges) One “Chief Justice” leads the

Supreme Court with eight “Associate Justices” (number can change by law)

To be a justice: you must be appointed by the President, and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate

Justices serve for life (as long as they do not break the law)

Chief Justice John Roberts

The reflecting pool next to the Washington Monument

1. Rally Coach: a. One student reads a question out

loud and then answers it (explain your answer, too).

b. The other three students at the table agree or disagree with the answer.

c. The table must come to a consensus. One an answer is agreed upon, write a brief statement under it explaining why your answer is correct.

d. Students take turns as the reader.

Instructions

Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative power? a.First Amendment b.Bill of rights c. Preamble d.Article I

The passage below is from a speech by President George W. Bush, March 19, 2003. On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war. These are the opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. What constitutional power justifies the actions described in the passage? a. Commander-in-Chief b. Head of State c. Chief Legislator d. Chief Regulator

The following passage is from McCulloch v. Maryland (1819). If…such be the mandate of the Constitution, we have only to obey; but that instrument does not profess to enumerate the means by which the powers it confers may be executed… Which constitutional provision does this decision support? a. commerce clause b. judicial review c. habeas corpus d. elastic clause

Which list includes roles of the president? a. Chief Justice, Commander in Chief b. Commander in Chief, Chief

Executive c. President pro tempore, Chief

Executive d. Speaker of the House, Chief

Justice

The statement below is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974. Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. How have similar statements influenced modern congressional actions? a. presidential impeachment b. presidential nomination c. presidential election d. presidential veto

The newspaper headline below describes an event in U.S. History.

Daily News

August 4, 2006

CYBERCRIME TREATY APPROVED

What parts of the national government participated in the process described in this newspaper headline? a. Senate and President b. Supreme Court and President c. House of Representatives and Senate d. Supreme Court and House of Representatives

Which of the following is an expressed power of the U.S. Congress? a. Pass a bill to fund the printing of

postage stamps for the U.S. Post Office

b. Appoint an ambassador to the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France

c. Declare war against a foreign country d. Review cases decided by the U.S.

Supreme Court to determine their constitutionality