Download UNDERSTANDING HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT WORKS

UNDERSTANDING HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT
WORKS
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The longest-lived written constitution in world history
•
•
•
Preamble
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.
Articles 1-7
Amendments
 Bill of Rights, Amendments 1-10
 Amendments 11-27
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
WE THE PEOPLE
Remember, at every point in this country’s history, the people
have fought, struggled, and braved injury and death to uphold
America’s great ideals: Liberty, Equality, Democracy and
Freedom.
That is why “We the People” — the first words of the
Constitution of the United States of America — are some of the
most powerful words ever written.
By themselves, words stay on a page. Only YOU can make them
live.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS: THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS
•
•
•
Adopting the Constitution depended on these
Amendments
Includes many of the rights Americans consider most
sacred: free speech, free press, freedom of religion, right
to bear arms, no unreasonable search and seizure, right
to a public trial by jury, right to due process of law, right
to a lawyer, no cruel and unusual punishment.
Americans have disagreed about these rights.
Governments tend to restrict them; people tend to
expand them; courts interpret them — so their meaning
changes over generations.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT
•
Amendment I –
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
MOST IMPORTANT LATER AMENDMENTS
•
Thirteenth Amendment, 1865

•
Abolished slavery
Fourteenth Amendment, 1868

All persons born in the U.S. are automatically
citizens.

Everyone guaranteed equal protection of the laws.
This “equal protection clause” has been the
foundation of African-American, women’s, Latino,
disability, gay and lesbian rights.
MOST IMPORTANT LATER AMENDMENTS
•
Fifteenth Amendment, 1870 – Former slaves can vote
•
Nineteenth Amendment, 1920 – Women can vote
•
22nd Amendment, 1951 – Presidents serve only 2 terms
•
26th Amendment, 1971 – Voting age drops from 21 to 18
THE CONSTITUTION TODAY – A HUGE BATTLEGROUND
•
•
•
•
Its meaning still changes because the Supreme Court changes
interpretations. Who is on the Court matters!
People still look to the Constitution to protect our rights.
Many Amendments expanded the number of Americans who can
vote, but only about half of people who CAN vote actually vote in
elections.
We are one of the most democratic nations on earth, BUT since so
many of us do NOT vote, those who do vote, and give money to
political candidates, have much more political influence and
power.
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT - FEDERAL
http://www.rightsofthepeople.com/education/government_for_kids/3-5/government/branches.php
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
•
•
President and Vice-President
 White House staff
 Executive Office of the President (National Security Council,
Council of Economic Advisors, and others)
Departments of
 State, Treasury, Defense (all the military), Justice, Interior,
Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services,
Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy,
Education, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security
 Heads of these Departments, like the Secretary of State,
Secretary of Defense, are members of the President’s
Cabinet
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH – UNITED STATES CONGRESS
•
Senate




•
Less democratic, more powerful
100 senators: 2 per state
6-year terms
Special responsibilities
House of Representatives


More democratic, less powerful
435 representatives, based on population
JUDICIAL BRANCH
All federal courts
•
Least democratic; terms are for life
•
Supreme Court, Appeals Courts, District Courts
•
Supreme Court decides if laws are “constitutional”
•
95 white male Supreme Court Justices until




Thurgood Marshall, 1967
Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman, 1981
Sonia Sotomayor, 2009, first Hispanic
Court now has 3 women, 1 African-American
HOW LAWS ARE MADE
http://www.votetocracy.com/blog/detail/understanding-congress-part-3-of-7:-how-are-laws-are-made.html
HOW DO WE INFLUENCE PUBLIC OFFICIALS
There are several ways to influence elected officials in America:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Voting
Collecting petitions
Writing letters
Making phone calls
Sending e-mail
Holding rallies, marches, demonstrations
Civil disobedience
Gaining publicity
Donating money
The Single Most Effective and Powerful Tool Is VOTING
WHY VOTE?...
•
•
•
Locally and nationally, people are elected into public office to
make laws, policies and appointments. The decisions made by
these elected officials have a tremendous impact on you, your
family and community.
Decisions made by elected officials can determine school
budgets, immigration policies, the taxes we pay, our nation’s
military actions, health care access, and community services.
Voting is the most effective way to voice your concerns and
aspirations regarding the actions taken by those in public
office. It is the best way to hold those in office accountable.
WHY VOTE?...
•
•
•
•
•
If we want education policies that allow our kids to succeed
academically, we need to vote!
If we want fair and just immigration reform, we need to vote!
If we want equal opportunities to good paying jobs, we need
to vote!
If we want access to quality health care for our families, we
need to vote!
If we want to protect our rights, including our right to
organize and vote, we need to vote!