
1. Life: people want to survive and give the will to fight
1.1. State of Nature: living without laws or any government
1.1.1. John Locke (1632-1704 CE)
2. Gives Congress power to esablish post offices
3. 50 states
3.1. Example: NE has 2 senators
3.1.1. can give ideas for laws and laws for their state
3.2. 100 senators total
3.2.1. Senators are elected by their states and serve six-year terms
3.2.1.1. Wyoming 2008 Pop: 563,626= 1 Rep= 2 Senators
3.2.1.2. they serve for 6 years
3.3. A state is... a body of people, living in a defined space, with the power to make and enforce laws, and an organization to do this
4. states have two senators
5. House of Rep.
5.1. Republican and Democratic parties
5.1.1. example: California has many more representatives than Rhode Island
5.1.1.1. California 2008 Pop: 36,756,666= 53 Reps= 2 Senates
5.2. works with the senate with laws
5.3. to make sure things are going how there supposed to
5.4. The House comprises 435 members who are elected to two-year terms
5.4.1. number of representatives each state gets is based on its population
5.4.1.1. The Speaker of the House, elected by the representatives, is considered the head of the House.
5.5. a member of the House must be at least twenty-five years of age and a U.S. citizen for seven years before his or her election.
5.5.1. Representatives are elected by their states and serve two-year terms
5.5.2. they serve 2 years
6. Senate!
7. The U.S. Constitution
7.1. Part 1: Preamble, Part 2: Natural Rights, Part 3: Grievances, Part 4: Resolution of Independence
7.2. Liberty: people want to be as free as possible to make their own decisions about how to live
8. Other Facts about the U.S Gov.
8.1. Unalienable rights: rights that cannot be taken away
8.2. Pursuit of Happiness: trying to find joy and contentment
8.3. Natural rights: rights people are born with
8.4. Consent of the Govered: Permission of those under the Government's rule
8.5. Just Powers: Powers that are fair
8.6. Self-evident: can be seen just by looking at it
9. The President can veto a bill, and then it takes a 2/3 vote of congress to override a Presidential veto.
10. The Constitution is the “rule book” for our government
10.1. The Constitution was preceded by The Articles of Confederation
10.2. The Articles of Confederation did not give the US Government enough power to do it’s job
11. The President may deploy troops for a short time period. But he or she cannot declare war.
11.1. congress can declare war
12. Is there only one judge at the Court of Appeals?
13. requirements to be President are outlined in Article II of the Constitution.
13.1. be born in the USA
14. Executive Branch
14.1. carrying out of laws
14.1.1. can sign a bill which make it a law
14.1.1.1. if signed its a law
14.1.1.1.1. it will be a federal law if it dose with all people
14.2. President and his cabinet
14.2.1. Treasury
14.2.1.1. makes the money
14.2.2. Military
14.2.2.1. the military is made of the Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Army
14.2.3. Health Serv.
14.2.4. Homeland Protection Serv.
14.2.5. Education Serv.
14.2.6. Agr. Serv.
14.3. U.S Foreign Policy...
14.3.1. ...is this country's actions, words, and befiefs towards other countries
14.3.2. Goals: protect America and Americans, support ecnomic growth and human rights around the world, increase support for American values like democracy and freedom
14.3.3. The President and the Executive brach initiate our foreign policy responses to world events and work with the Legislative branch to carry out those responses
14.4. Foreign Aid...
14.4.1. ... is the help or assistance that we give to other countries, usually through our Department of State and Health Serv.
14.4.2. Goals: economic (like money), military (soldiers helping after a disaster), advice ( like how to create a democracy), and the main goal is to create friendships abroad and foster futuer trading partners
14.5. Treaties...
14.5.1. ... are a formal agreement between countries that, (like laws) that must be followed
14.5.2. The President is responsible for negotiating and signing treaties. All treaties must be approved by 2/3's of the Senate.
15. Limitations of Government
15.1. Executive Branch
15.2. Legislative Branch
15.3. Judaical Branch
15.4. powers are equal to keep peace and so they don't over power each other
15.4.1. have diff. jobs to do
16. Legislative Branch
16.1. legislative branch is made up of the two houses of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives
16.1.1. 100 senators in the Senate, two from each state
16.1.2. 435 representatives in the House of Representatives
16.1.3. The Speaker of the House, elected by the representatives, is considered the head of the House.
16.2. laws get sent to the President to be sign or vetoed
16.2.1. The Power of Congress...
16.2.1.1. Congress is limited by what the Constitution says
16.2.1.2. Congress can: collect taxes, raise money to pay debts, to defend, and to provide for the general welfare of the U.S.
16.2.1.3. Also control commerce (business) that happens across state lines, with foreign countries, and with Indian tribes, make laws about immigration, bank debt, post offices, declare war, and raise and support armies.
16.3. making the laws
17. Judaical Branch
17.1. interpret the laws
17.1.1. courts of appeals
17.1.1.1. jury trial, bench trial
17.1.1.2. appellate courts
17.1.1.2.1. District Courts
17.1.1.3. Always sits En Banc
17.1.2. The Supreme Court
17.1.2.1. can pick the court cases it wants to hear
17.1.2.1.1. they also can affirm, reverse, and remand the court case
17.1.2.1.2. Affirm- the trial court's decision, letting it stand
17.1.2.1.3. Remand- the case back to the trial court to start over
17.1.2.2. judicial review
17.1.2.3. there are 9 US Supreme Court Justices
17.1.2.4. New node
17.1.3. Civil- relating to the rights of citizens
17.1.3.1. Criminal- relating to crime
17.1.3.1.1. oral argument
17.1.3.2. Will the Court of Appeals hold a trial all over again?
17.2. Made up of the Courts
17.2.1. there are many kinds of courts
17.3. 2 types of court systems
17.3.1. State Courts and Federal Courts
18. How it got started
18.1. Constitution
18.2. we wanted our own freedom
18.2.1. made your on laws, government, and other things that we needed to do
18.2.1.1. Mangna Carta
18.2.1.1.1. When was it written? a: 1215
18.2.1.1.2. Who wrote it? a: The Nobles
18.2.1.1.3. This is a: Agreement between individuals
18.2.1.1.4. What was the purpose of this document? a: To limit the Kings power
18.2.1.2. Mayflower Compact
18.2.1.2.1. When was it written? a: 1620
18.2.1.2.2. Who wrote it? a: Puritans
18.2.1.2.3. This is a: Government and an Agreement between individuals
18.2.1.2.4. What was the purpose of this document? a: To set up a fast government.
18.2.1.3. English Bill of Rights
18.2.1.3.1. When was it written? a: 1689
18.2.1.3.2. Who wrote it? a: Parliament and the people
18.2.1.3.3. This is a: Government Document
18.2.1.3.4. What was the purpose of this document? a: To expand rights, and to limit the king
18.3. war with the British
18.3.1. signed a treaty with the colonists
18.4. won the war
18.4.1. The New World was called The USA
18.4.2. opened a new life to us