GHSGT Review

Government

SSCG2a: Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract Theory

John Locke believed people were born with “natural rights” (life, liberty, and property)

John Locke also advocated the Social Contract Theory, which states that there is an implied contract between government and citizens.

Thomas Jefferson asserted in the Declaration of Independence

Citizens have the right to resist and/or replace it with a new system.

SSCG2b. The Declaration of Independence is a persuasive argument

The Declaration of Independence makes these arguments: 1. “All men are created equal” 2. Unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 3. Powers of government from consent of the governed 4. Grievances against the king of England, George III 5. When revolution should occur

When government becomes “destructive” Government should not be changed for “light or

transient causes” After a long period of “abuses and usurpations”

SSCG3a: Debate over ratification of Constitution (1787-1789)

Federalists favored a strong central government and

supported the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists feared a strong central government. Believed the federal government could only do what the Constitution specifically said.

The Federalist Papers- Essays written to persuade ratification of the Constitution.

Supported by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams.

The Anti-Federalists agreed to ratify the Constitution if a Bill of Rights was added.

SSCG3C. Fundamental principles of the United States Constitution

Rule of law – the U.S. is a society governed by set laws.

Everyone must obey the nation’s laws.

Popular Sovereignty –government is empowered by the will of its people.

Separation of Powers – power is divided by three branches:

– legislative, judicial, and executive.

Checks and balances – Each branch can check the powers of the other two.

Federalism – power is shared between the national and state governments

SSCG4: Organization and powers of the national government

a. Describe the structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Executive – President – enforces laws

1. 4-year terms, limited to 2 terms

2. Elected by Electoral College

3. Powers and Duties (Article II, Sections 2& 3)

a. Commander-in-chief of armed forces

b. Can make treaties

c. Can appointment Supreme Court justices, Cabinet

4. The Vice-President and Cabinet are

part of the executive branch

SSCG4a: Organization and powers of the national government.

Legislative - Congress – makes laws BICAMERAL – Two Houses

House of Representatives

1. Representation based on population

2. At least one per state

3. Special power to impeach, initiate tax bills

4. Presiding officer – Speaker of the House

Senate

1. Representation is equal – 2 per state

2. Special power to approve President’s treaties and appointments (2/3 majority required)

3. Serves as jury during impeachment trials

4. Presiding officer – Vice-President of the U.S.

SSCG4a: Organization and powers of the national government

Judicial – Supreme Court interprets laws

1. Highest court in the nation

2. Court of final appeal

3. Congress establishes inferior courts

Executive Branch

The President

•Enforces the nation’s laws

•Heads the armed forces

•Represents the nation in foreign affairs

Legislative Branch

Congress

•Passes taxes

•Makes new laws

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

(and other Federal Courts)

•Decides whether or not laws are constitutional

Can:

Propose legislation

Veto legislation

Call special legislative sessions

Recommend appointments

Negotiate foreign treaties

Can:

Appoint federal judges

Grant pardons and reprieves to federal offenders

Can:

Pass legislation

Override a presidential veto

Confirm executive appointments

Ratify treaties

Appropriate money

Impeach and remove a President

Can:

Declare executives actions and laws unconstitutional

Can:

Declare legislation unconstitutional

Can:

Create lower federal courts and judgeships

Impeach judges

Propose constitutional amendments to override judicial decisions

Approve appointments of federal judges

SSCG4b The three branches of government; checks and balances; separation of powers.

SSCG5a: State government v. the national government.

Federalism: power is divided between states and the national government.

10th Amendment: any powers not specifically granted to the national government are reserved for the states.

No state government may pass a law that violates the U.S. Constitution.

SSCG5b: Enumerated v. Implied powers.

Enumerated Powers are explicitly granted by the Constitution.

– Article I, Section 8

• The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes,

Implied Powers are powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

– necessary and proper clause or the elastic clause

• Regulating interstate commerce=Regulating telecommunications

SSCG5c: How much power is shared between states and the national government

The balance of power between the two levels of government has spawned some

of the most intense controversies in American history. Historically, national interests have clashed with states' rights Today, most Americans think of the government in Washington as more powerful

than the state governments Federalism is still one of the most important founding principles of the United

States.

SSCG5d. Powers denied to state and national governments.

Any power expressly denied the national government is also denied to the states State government may NOT pass laws that violate the U.S. Constitution. • National Government • May not violate the Bill of Rights • May not impose export taxes among states • May not use money from the Treasury without an appropriations bill • May not change state boundaries • State Governments • May not enter into treaties with other countries • May not print money • May not tax imports or exports • May not Impair obligations of contracts • May not suspend a person's rights without due process

SSCG5f. The supremacy clause (Article VI) and the U.S. Constitution as the “supreme law of the land.”

Article 6: Constitution is the supreme law of the nation.

- No federal, state, or local law can

conflict with the Constitution.

SSCG6a The Bill of Rights (1st Amendment freedoms)

The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.

The 1st Amendment guarantees the following for citizens:

Freedom of speech

Freedom of the press

Freedom to petition the government

Freedom to assemble

Freedom of religion

Separation of church and state

SSCG6b Due process in the 5th and 14th Amendments.

The 5th Amendment ensures that no person shall be imprisoned or deprived of his or her property without due process.

Due process

prevents government abuse

ensures citizens charged with a crime are not denied their rights

The 14th Amendment makes it illegal for any state government to pass laws denying liberties

guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.

SSCG6d. Balancing individual liberties and the public interest. .

Individual liberties are the personal freedoms every citizens enjoys under the Constitution.

Public interest refers to those things which citizens have a common interest: public safety, national security, a healthy environment, protection from dangerous products in the market place, etc.

At times, protecting public interest can infringe on individual liberties.

– After September 11, 2001, the U.S. government passed the PATRIOT Act • Granted government officials freedom to monitor communication.

Many appreciate such a law because it protects the public.

While others believe laws go too far because they invade citizens’ privacy and violate individual liberties.

SSCG6e. Every citizen has the right to be treated equally under the law.

Nor shall any State . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. – Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Today, the Constitution has been amended so that, at least in theory, every U.S. citizen is given equal protection under the law regardless of skin color, gender, age, wealth, etc.

SSCG7: Characteristics of a citizen

• U.S. citizens have civic responsibilities

• These civic duties include:

– Obeying laws

– Paying taxes

– Serving jury duty

– Performing public service

– Registering for the draft (required for 18-year-old males)

– Political participation

– Staying well-informed

SSCG8a Roles of political parties.

The U.S. Constitution says nothing about political parties

Despite George Washington’s objections Political parties have become an important part of U.S. policies.

Political parties are organizations that promote political beliefs and sponsor candidates. The U.S. operates on a two-party system

These two parties are the Democrats and Republicans

Political parties serve the following roles: They nominate candidates for office

Coordinate the actions of government officials

Establish party platforms

Constituencies: are the people who make up and are represented by the party.

Democrats are more liberal

Republicans are more conservative

SSCG8b. The nomination and election process

Primary elections are held to choose between candidates within the same

party

General Elections are where local, state, and federal officials are voted into office

In presidential elections, the winner is chosen by the Electoral College. Whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote is awarded ALL of that state’s

votes in the Electoral College.

Georgia currently has 15 electoral votes

SSCG8e. Identify how amendments extend the right to vote.

15th Amendment-Ensures right to vote regardless of race 17th Amendment-Calls for direct election of United States Senators 19th Amendment-Grants women the right to vote

23rd Amendment-Allows voters in Washington D.C., to vote for President and Vice President 26th Amendment- Gives the right to vote to citizens18 years and older

SSCG9: The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership,

and representatives of each house.

U.S. Congress

House of Representatives U.S. Senate

Representation By population of state 2 per state

Length of

terms 2 Years 6 Years

Leadership Led by Speaker of the House Led by Vice President and

president pro tempore

SSCG10a steps in the legislative process.

Introduce in Either House or Senate as a Bill

Referred to Committee

Kills Bill

Debated in floor of House or Senate and voted on

Goes to other legislative body (House or Senate)

Goes to President

Becomes law

2/3 of each body (House and Senate) needed to pass over President’s veto

Yes Yes Yes

Yes

NO NO NO

NO

Yes

Yes

SSCG10b. leadership positions within the legislature.

• The top post in the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House.

• The Vice President presides over the Senate, but he/she only votes if his/her vote is needed to break a tie.

• When the Vice President is not present, the president pro tempore takes his/her place

The two major parties within the Senate and House of Representatives have leaders. The majority leader is the elected leader of the majority party

Conversely, the minority leader leads the minority party.

SSCG12: roles played by the President of the United States

Duties and powers of the President:

1. Chief Executive – the nation’s recognized leader and head of the executive branch. Ultimately responsible for enforcing the nation’s laws

2. Commander-in-chief – the top military commander

3. Foreign policy leader – determines how the U.S. will deal will foreign countries and international situations.

4. Appoints pubic officials –heads of federal departments and federal judges

5. Party Leader –acts as the head of his/her political party.

SSCG14a impeachment process.

The president may be impeached (charged with wrongdoing while in office) by the House of Representatives if suspected of treason, bribery, or “other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

If this occurs, the president stands trial in the Senate

If two-thirds of the Senate finds him/her guilty, then he/she is removed from office.

Only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Neither was found guilty.

SSCG15b: Explain the functions of the Cabinet

Members of the President's Cabinet act as his official advisory group and head executive departments. The President appoints members of his cabinet and the Senate must confirm them. Here is a list of the 14 executive departments.

1. Department of Agriculture

2. Department of Commerce

3. Department of Defense

4. Department of Education

5. Department of Energy

6. Department of Health and Human

Services

7. Department of Housing and Urban

Development

8. Department of the Interior

9. Department of Justice

10. Department of Labor

11. Department of State

12. Department of Transportation

13. Department of the Treasury

14. Department of Veterans' Affairs

SSCG16a Explain the jurisdiction of the federal courts and the state courts.

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S Court of Appeals

U.S. District Courts

State Supreme Court

Appellate Courts

Superior Courts

Lower Courts

SSCG16b Examine how John Marshall established the Supreme Court as an independent coequal branch of

government through his opinions in Marbury v. Madison • In 1803, the Supreme Court heard Marbury v.

Madison.

• In this case, the Court ruled that a certain law was unconstitutional.

• This meant that the law violated the Constitution and was invalid.

SSCG16c: Describe how the Supreme Court decides cases.

The Supreme Court Chooses which cases it will head.

If a case is refused, the decision of the lower court will stand.

If the Supreme Court accepts a case: Both sides will present written briefs (legal arguments)

Supreme Court Justices will apply the Constitution when making their decision

After heading all arguments, the justices will vote

There are 9 justices, so 5 votes are needed for a majority

SSCG20: The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy; economic, military and humanitarian aid; treaties; sanctions and

military intervention).

Foreign policy refers to the United States’ relations with other nations and how it handles international situations. The president is predominantly responsible for determining the U.S.’ foreign policy.

• Diplomacy is the process of nations coming together to find peaceful solutions.

• The U.S. offers economic, humanitarian, and military aid to countries that are less developed or hurting as a result of a national disaster.

• Treaties are formal international agreements between nations.

• Sanctions are restrictions or policies placed on a country that may be violating international agreements – Sanctions placed on North Korea for pursuing the development of nuclear weapons

• Military intervention is the most drastic measure for dealing with international conflicts. – The U.S. has been involved in Iraq and now Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting the war on terror.