United StatesGovernment, Resources and Economy

Government

A Representative Democracy

• The United States has established a representative democracy—people rule through elected representatives. – Government is based off

democratic styles of Ancient Greece and Rome.

• Power is divided among the national(federal) and state governments.

The Branches of Government • The U.S. Constitution

established a government that is broken down into three separate branches:– executive branch headed by

president, carries out laws– legislative branch makes laws– judicial branch interprets laws,

reviews lower court decisions

How does this system help our government maintain balance?

Resources

• U.S. is rich in natural resources

• fertile soils• water supply• vast forests• large deposits of many minerals

Waterways

• Because U.S. is bound by water, they have important shipping and fishing industries

• Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico

Waterways

• Many large lakes and rivers in the United States make shipping and trade much easier.

Farming and Agriculture

• The United States is the world’s leading producer of food as well as the largest food exporter– very fertile soil, in plains region and river valleys

• This fertile region is known as “America’s Breadbasket”

• Due to fertile soil, early farm mechanization, U.S. accounts for:– 40% of world’s corn; 20% of cotton; 10% of

wheat, cattle, hogs

• Crop farming in Midwest, South; livestock ranching in West

Woodlands

• 1/3 of U.S. covered by woodlands

• U.S. and Canada major producers of lumber

Natural Resources

• U.S. is rich in natural minerals and fossil fuels

• gold• silver• copper• coal• oil• etc.

Economy

Economy• The United States has the

world’s largest and most diversified economy.

• American products and popular culture are recognized around the world.

Success

• World’s largest economy: agricultural, manufacturing, trade leader

• U.S. accounts for more than 10% of world’s exports

• exports—goods sold to another country

• Success is due to resources, skilled labor, stable political system

Capitalism• Much of the success is due to the

economic system.• The United States economy is

based on the capitalist free market system.

• In this system, most businesses are privately owned and operated with limited government control.– In most cases, there is no limit to

success or profits.

What are some possible problems with the Free Market

system?

Problems with Free Market

• Monopolies? Unfair for competition? – Wal Mart, Microsoft,

Apple

• Price Gouging?– Gas, Technology

U.S. Exports

U.S. Exports

Technology Exports

• U.S. advances in electronics, computers revolutionize industry

U.S. Technology Exports

Industrial Centers• Largest industrial output in world includes:

• petroleum• steel• chemicals• electronics• consumer goods• mining

Industrial Centers

• Many industrial centers are located near bodies of water

– WHY??????

Industrial Centers

• bodies of water can be used for transporting goods

• may also serve as a source of power

• US is largest consumer of energy. Need for these fuels is very great.

Free Enterprise

• Free enterprise (free market) economy:– privately owned resources, technology,

businesses– businesses operate for profit with little

governmental control

Service Industries

• almost 75% of Americans today work in the service industry

• service industry – any kind of economic activity that produces a service rather than a product

Can you think of any jobs in the service industry?

• service-related jobs include:

• medicine• transportation• education• finance• many more!