Modern U.S. History

Popular SovereigntyRepublicanismFederalismSeparation of PowersChecks and BalancesLimited Government Individual Rights

This concept means that the “people” rule in our country

We are the source of the government’s power

This has taken on new people throughout history (like who?) African American men

(1865) Women (1920) 18 year olds (1971)

Our government works by people choosing our leaders – who then make the decisions for us

Federalism is a system of “shared” powers between the national government and the state governments

1. Establish localGovernments

2. Schools3. Regulate state

Commerce4. Marriage Regulations

5. Drivers Licenses

1. Maintain Military2. Declare War3. Post Offices4. Weights and

Measures5. Protect Copyrights

Power in our government is split, or separated among 3 branches Executive Legislative Judicial

Each branch of government exercises control, or a check on the other branches.

This ensures that one branch doesn’t become too powerful

Limited Government: Constitution lists things that the government cannot do. It also explain how all citizens, weak or strong, must obey the law

Individual Rights: People get certain individual privileges – protections from powerful government

Congress is granted the power “to make all laws necessary and proper” for carrying out all of the powers given to it by the Constitution

This allows future generations to expand the meaning of the Constitution to apply to new situations as they come up

What kinds of things would that Framers of the Constitution not be able to anticipate?

Voters don’t choose President directlyEach state has “electors” that make up

the Electoral CollegeNumber of electors per state

determined by the number of Senators and members of the House of Reps. that the state has

Winner take all – meaning that if a candidate wins a state – they get all of that state’s ‘electors’ (with some exceptions)

Commander-in-ChiefChief ExecutiveChief DiplomatLegislative LeaderHead of Political Party

Judicial Review is one of the most important powers the Judicial Branch has

The Supreme Court (and other federal courts) have the power to examine laws and government activity and decide whether it violates the Constitution

1. Establish localGovernments

2. Schools3. Regulate state

Commerce4. Marriage Regulations

5. Driver’s Licenses

1. Maintain Military2. Declare War3. Post Offices4. Weights and

Measures5. Protect Copyrights

Taxes

Courts

Laws

Roads

Constitution can be amended – or changed

Has been amended 27 times in history

Amendment must be passed by 2/3 of BOTH houses of Congress – or application by 2/3 of the states

To be passed: Amendment must be ratified by ¾ of state legislatures or ¾ of state conventions

If a U.S. law and a state law contradict, which one takes precedence (is more important to follow)?

The U.S. Constitution and the laws of the U.S. shall be supreme over state constitutions and state laws

The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

Guarantees basic freedoms and liberties for all U.S. citizens

The 1st Amendment guarantees Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press Freedom of Assembly Freedom to Petition

the Government

The 2nd Amendment: Citizens have the right to keep and bear arms

The 3rd Amendment: The government cannot quarter troops in your home

The 4th Amendment: Citizens have protection against illegal searches and seizures (gov’t must obtain a warrant & have probable cause to conduct a search)

People accused of crimes have the right to not “incriminate” themselves

The “right” to remain silent (Miranda rights)

No person is ever forced to testify against themselves

No “double jeopardy”

6th Amendment: Right to a Speedy and Public Trial (also the right to hear the charges, right to call witnesses in your favor, and right to an attorney)

7th Amendment: Trial by Jury in Civil cases 8th Amendment: Limits of Fines and

Punishments (no ‘excessive’ bail, or ‘cruel and unusual’ punishment)

9th Amendment: Addresses the rights of people that aren’t specifically stated in the Constitution

10th Amendment: Says that anything the Constitution doesn’t mention is left up to the states

13th: Slavery is outlawed (1865) 16th: Income tax is allowed (1913) 18th: Prohibition of alcohol (1919) 19th: Women’s Suffrage (right to vote)

(1920) 21st: Prohibition repealed (1933) 22nd: Limits President to 2 terms (1951) 25th: Presidential Disability/Succession

(1967) 26th: 18 year olds can vote (1971) 27th: Congressional pay raises (1992)

1. Vice-President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate 4. Secretary of State 5. Secretary of Treasury

Leaders of all the Executive Departments serve in the President’s Cabinet – or closest group of advisors

The Secretary of… (they all serve as Presidential advisors and heads of their gov’t department) Agriculture Commerce Defense Education Energy Health & Human Services Homeland Security Housing and Urban Development Interior Justice (Attorney General) Labor State Transportation Treasury Veteran’s Affairs

PresidentVice PresidentSpeaker of the House of

RepresentativesPresident Pro-Tempore of the SenateSecretary of State2 U.S. Senators from WisconsinU.S. Representative whose district

includes WaterfordGovernor of Wisconsin

Barack Obama

Joe Biden

John Boehner

Daniel Inouye

Hillary Clinton

John Roberts

Herb Kohl

Ron Johnson

Paul Ryan

Scott Walker