The 13 colonies in America won the Revolutionary War (the War of Independence) (1775-1783).

G. Washington, T. Jefferson, B. Franklin

The Bell of Independence

The free and independent states needed one strong national government. That’s why in 1787 all the states sent their representatives to Philadelphia where they wrote the Constitution. Americans are very proud of their Constitution.

The US government is like a tree with a strong trunk and three branches.

Legislative Power Executive Power Judicial Power

The Congress:

1.The Senate;

2.The House of Representatives

The President,

The Vice-President,

The President’s Cabinet

The Supreme Court,

Other Federal Courts

The Congress makes the laws and controls finances. The Congress meets in the US Capitol.

The Senate has 100 senators, two from every state; one-third of them is elected every two years for a six-year term.

The House of Representatives has 435 representatives; the number of congressmen from each state depends on the number of people who live in each state; elections take place every two years.

The President is elected every four years, he can hold office for two terms only.Functions: Head of State; Commander-in-Chief; controls foreign policy; appoints secretaries (ministers).

The White House

The Vice-President is elected together with President. He takes President’s office if President is unable to finish his term.

The White House

The Supreme Court: nine judges are appointed for life by the President.Functions: interprets constitution, tests laws.