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