what is a government? a government is the ruling authority for a community. basically any...

What is a Government?

• A government is the ruling authority for a community.

• Basically any organization that has the power to make and enforce laws and decisions for its members acts as a government.

4 basic function of government

• Keeping order

• providing security

• Providing public services

• Guiding the community

There are 3 levels of our government

• National Government– Centered in the nations' capital, washing, D.C.

They make and enforce the laws for the entire country.

• State Government– Which decides matters for the people in their

state

• Local Government– Local governments include counties, cities

and towns

Which type of Government do we have a Democracy or a

Dictatorship?• A Dictatorship is a government controlled

by one person or a small group of people

• A Democracy is a kind of government in which the people rule. The foundations of democracy began in ancient Greece

• There are two types of Democracy

What are the two types of Democracy

• Direct Democracy – All citizens met to debate government matters

and vote first-hand

• Representative Democracies– Citizens choose a smaller group to represent

them, make laws, and govern on their behalf, but the people remain the source of the governments authority.

The fundamental principles of American Democracy

• Rule of law– All people, including those who govern, are bound by law

• Limited Government– Government is not all powerful

• Consent of the governed– American citizens are the source of all governmental

power• Individual rights

– Individual rights are protected• Representative government

– People elect government leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf.

2 Ways to become an American Citizen

• By Birth

• By Naturalization

The Naturalization Process

– Step 1. File a Declaration of Intention.– Step 2. Live in U.S for 5 years– Step 3. Learn English, Civics, U.S. History.– Step 4. File an application of Naturalization.– Step 5. Meeting with an immigration examiner.– Step 6. Court Appearance/Oath of Allegiance

E pluribus unum

• Out of many, one– To Americans this reminds us that many

diverse citizens of the united states have joined together to create a single, strong nation.

– For all our differences we are linked by shared values and experiences

A Nation of Immigrants

• Beginning in the 1600’s people from France and England came to North America.

• The French settled primarily in Canada and around the Mississippi river

• The English settled mainly along the east coast.

Magna Carta

• Magna Carta is Latin for great charter

• This document proteted the nobles privileges and upheld their authority

• It also granted rights to all land holders

• Rights that eventually came to apply to all English People

Parliament

• The parliament grew in power and size until eventually it split.

• Into the house of lords (nobles)

• And the house of Commons (citizens)

• Over time the parliament became more powerful than the monarchy

• This lead to the Glorious Revolution

Jamestown

• The first permanent English settlement in North America was Jamestown 1607

• Was created by a charter from King James

• A charter is a written document granting land and the authority to set up colonial governments.

Plymouth

• In 1620 a new group of colonist known as Pilgrims arrived in America

• They build a settlement called Plymouth in Massachusetts

• They drew up a written plan for government called the Mayflower Compact

• A compact is an agreement among a group of people.

Mercantilism Economic theory that state that a country

should sell more goods than it buys.

16. The Stamp Act

• No taxation without representation

Boycott•The refusal of

American colonist to buy or use English

goods

•Lead to the repeal of the stamp act

18. Parliament repeal of Stamp act

• Why did they repealed the stamp act?– Merchant were putting pressure on Parliament

• Merchants were unhappy with the stamp act because they were losing money.

Intolerable Acts Acts passed by the English to punish

Boston for the boycott of English goods.

The quartering act forced colonist to house any and all

English troops for free

Boston Tea Party / Boston Massacre

Two events that sparked the American

Revolution

•Sons of liberty

•Crispus Attucks

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States.

•A weak document

•No power to tax

•No power to enforce laws

Shay’s Rebellion•Showed the people

that the articles of the confederation were not

effective.

•Resulted from high state taxes in

Massachusetts

DemocracyA form of government

where citizens own the power to rule

(Examples)

1. Direct

2. Representative

ConstitutionThe United States of

America’s written plan for government

Preamble

Articles

Amendments

PreambleThe introduction to the

constitution and it list the six basic

goal of our country

Great Compromise

Settled the dispute between the big states and the small states over representation by

establishing a bicameral legislature/congress

CongressTwo house legislative body made up of the

House of representatives and the Senate (Bicameral)

•House of representatives is based on population of the state (435 members)

•The Senate is made up of two senators per state

(100 members)

3 Branches of Government

Checks and Balances

Amendment

To change or add to the constitution. There have been only 27 amendments in our history

The 1st Amendment

• Protects our five basic freedoms– Freedom of religion– Freedom of speech– Freedom of press– Freedom of assembly– Freedom of petition

Rights of the AccusedFound in amendments

5 thru 8 •Right to remain silent•Right to an attorney

•Trial by jury•Speedy trial

•No cruel or unusual punishment

•No excessive bail

13th Amendment

• Abolished slavery and authorized congress to pass legislation implementing it abolition

19th Amendment

• Guaranteed the right to vote to women.

26th Amendment

• Guaranteed the right to vote to 18 year olds

Duties •Pay Taxes

•Obey the Law

•Attend School

•Serve in Court

(jury duty)

•Defend the Nation

(draft)

Things that we must do as citizens

Responsibilities•Vote

•Be Informed

•Participate in government.

•Respect the rights of others.

•Respect Diversity.

Things that we should do as a good citizen