What should you know about

American Government?

Principles of U.S. Government

Popular Sovereignty Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Limited Government Flexibility Federalism Inalienable Rights Due Process

Branches of the

U.S. Government

Executive BranchLegislative BranchJudicial Branch

Executive Branch

President: leader of country & commander in chief of military

Vice President: President of Senate, 2nd in line

Cabinet members: advise President on issues & help carry out policies

Independent Agencies: help carry out policy & provide special services

Presidential Powers

Chief Executive Chief Diplomat Chief Legislator Veto Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Chief of State Grant pardons Grant amnesty

Legislative Branch

Bi-cameral Congress Senate House of Representatives Law-making branch of

government

Main Roles of Congress

To pass legislation (laws) Declare war Regulate trade Regulate money Impeach federal officials Override presidential vetoes (2/3

vote in each house)

Senate

Upper House 2 senators per state 100 total 6-year terms

Approve presidential nominations to the federal courts

Approve presidential appointments to federal positions

Approve treaties Serve as jury in

impeachment trials Select VP if Electoral College

fails to do so

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

Lower House Based on state population 435 total 2-year terms

Originate all spending ($$) bills Serve as prosecution in

impeachment trial Select President if Electoral College

fails to do so

Judicial Branch

The Court System Supreme Court is highest in nation Interpret the law Exercise the power of judicial

review Chief Justice presides over trials of

presidential impeachment

Power of Judicial Review Determine if laws passed by Congress

are allowable by the Constitution Determine if treaties negotiated by the

President and approved by the Senate are allowable by the Constitution

Determine if actions by the President in enforcing the law are allowable by the Constitution

Determine if laws passed by states are allowable by the Constitution

Important Documents Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights Monroe Doctrine Emancipation Proclamation Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Constitutional Amendments

1st protects freedom of expression

4th,5th,6th,7th,8th protect rights of due process

13th,14th,15th Civil War

amendments; protects slaves rights

15th,19th,26th protects voting rights

Supreme Court Cases

Marbury vs. Madison (1803) Dred Scott (1857) Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) Brown vs. Board of Education

(1954) Miranda vs. Arizona (1966)

Economic Terminology

Inflation Deflation Profit Monopoly Laissez-faire Capitalism Socialism Communism

Supply & Demand

Interact to determine prices in a market economy

Demand = how much consumers are willing and able to buy at different prices

As prices INCREASE, demand DECREASES

Supply = how much producers are willing and able to sell at different prices

As prices INCREASE, supply INCREASES

Don’t forget the WIKI

http://plcsocialstudies.pbwiki.com