Civic Foundations

Types of Government

  • Democracy- a form of government in which the people of a nation rule either directly or through elected representatives.
  • Republic- a form of government in which the people elect representatives to carry on the work of government for them.
  • Monarchy- a system of authoritarian government headed by a monarch - a king, queen, shah, or sultan - whose position is usually inherited.
  • Dictatorship- a form of government in which absolute power is held by one person.
  • Totalitarian- a form of government in which a central authority controls all aspects of society, subordinating individual freedom to state interests.
  • Oligarchy- a form of government in which a few persons hold the ruling power.

The Constitution

  • Constitution- A written plan of government describing the government's organization, purpose, basic laws, and the rights of the people.

Principles of the Constitution

  • Popular Sovereignty – Principle of government in which the people hold the final authority of power.
  • Limited Government – Principle that the government is not all powerful but can do only what the people say it can do.
  • Federalism – Division of power between the national government and the state governments.
  • Separation of Powers – Division of the operations of the national government into three branches, each with its own powers and responsibilities.
  • Checks and Balances–Means by which each branch of the national government is able to check, or control, the power of the other two branches.

Sections of the Constitution

1) Preamble

2) Articles

3) Amendments

The Preamble

A brief introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish

Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,promote the

general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The Articles

Explain the structure, powers, and limitations of our three branches of government and the power of the states

Article 1 - The Legislative Branch

* Section 1 - The Legislature

* Section 2 - The House

* Section 3 - The Senate

* Section 4 - Elections, Meetings

* Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment

* Section 6 - Compensation

* Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto

* Section 8 - Powers of Congress

* Section 9 - Limits on Congress

* Section 10 - Powers Prohibited of States

Article 2 - The Executive Branch

* Section 1 - The President

* Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

* Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

* Section 4 - Disqualification

Article 3 - The Judicial Branch

* Section 1 - Judicial Powers

* Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials

* Section 3 - Treason

Article 4 - The States

* Section 1 - Each State to Honor All Others

* Section 2 - State Citizens, Extradition

* Section 3 - New States

* Section 4 - Republican Government

Article 5 - Amendment

Article 6 - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

Article 7 - Ratification

Signatories

The Amendments

Additions or things that are added to the constitution

Liberties Protected by the First Amendment

Freedom of the Press

Freedom of Religion

Freedom of Petition

We already learned that the first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights

1Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2Right to Bare Arms

3Lodging Troops in Private Homes

4Search and Seizure

5Rights of the Accused

6Right to Speedy Trial by Jury

7Jury Trial in Civil Cases

8Bail and Punishment

9Powers Reserved to the People

10Powers Reserved to the States

Additional Amendments

11Suits Against States

12Election of President and Vice President

13Abolition of Slavery

14Rights of Citizens

15Voting Rights

16The Income Tax

17Direct Election of Senators

18Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages

19Women's Suffrage

20Presidential Terms; Sessions of Congress

21Repeal of Prohibition

22Limit on Number of President's Terms

23Presidential Electors for the District of Columbia

24Abolition of Poll Tax in National Elections

25Presidential Succession and Disability

26Voting Age

27Mid-term Pay Raises for Members of Congress

The Branches of Government

Legislative Branch

(Makes the Laws)

Terms dealing with the Legislative Branch

  • Bicameral – two house legislature
  • Unicameral – one – house legislature
  • Bill- a statute in draft before it becomes law; "they held a public hearing on the bill"
  • Ratify- to approve or pass something, like a law

Executive Branch

(Enforces the Laws)

Judicial Branch

(Interprets the laws)

The Balance of Power

Checks and Balances