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The Government of the USA

The Government of the USA. How it works . America has a Federal Government . The constitution outlines the system of government in the USA. There are 3 branches of government. President (Executive) Congress (Legislative) Supreme Court (judicial). Government. The Executive (The President).

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The Government of the USA

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  1. The Government of the USA

  2. How it works • America has a Federal Government. • The constitution outlines the system of government in the USA. There are 3 branches of government. • President (Executive) • Congress (Legislative) • Supreme Court (judicial)

  3. Government The Executive (The President) THE TRIANGLE OF POWER (A system of checks and balances on power) The Legislature (Congress) The Judiciary (Supreme Court)

  4. The job of the President is to suggest ways to run the country • The job of Congress is to decide on which of the President’s suggestions for running the country should go ahead. • The job of the Judiciary is to make sure all laws operate in the interests of the American people and not harm their rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution.

  5. Levels of government There are 3 main levels of Government in the USA. Each level of government is responsible for different things. • Federal Government • State Government • Local government

  6. The Federal Government (Congress) The Federal Government, also known as Congress consists of 2 levels; • Senate • House of Representatives

  7. The Senate • Responsible for making laws • 100 members (96 till 1959) • 2 for each state • Senators stand for 6 years. • Both Houses need to agree for a law is passed

  8. The House of Representatives • Responsible for putting laws into place. • 435 members. • Each state is allocated members depending on its population (California – 53 representatives) • Each representative stands for 2 years.

  9. Federal Government Powers The Federal government is responsible for the ‘big’ issues • The Armed Forces • International Conflict • Prevention of terrorism • US Currency • World Trade • Welfare benefits • Taxation

  10. State Government Each state in the USA has its own government. • The leader of each state government is called the ‘Governor’. • Each state can make laws on issue such as; • Education • Marriage • Driving / drinking ages • Capital punishment • Each state has their own police force to enforce the state’s laws.

  11. Local Government Within each state, individual towns and cities have their own local level of government. They make decisions on very minor issues • Refuse collection, • Recycle facilities

  12. Different states different laws New York: • Citizens may not greet each other by "putting one's thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers". • A fine of $25 can be levied for flirting. • The penalty for jumping off a building is death. Alaska • Fairbanks is a dry town for moose, where it's illegal to feed a moose any alcoholic beverage. Florida: • Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown. 

  13. Political Parties Democrats: • A wider base of support and adopted a more liberal line on issues. • Supported by liberals, minority ethnic groups, and the less well off and urban dwellers. • During Roosevelt’s period in office there was a significant realignment in political affiliation, with blacks in particular turning to his party, the Democrats Republicans: • Tended to favour wealth, businesses and a reduced Government role. • The republicans carried rural areas and small towns, except in the South where they were seen as the party who freed the slaves.

  14. Activities • What is meant by a Federal system of Government? • What is the role of the following within the American system of Government: a) Executive b) Legislature c) Judiciary? 3. What is the Constitution of the USA? • Why can the President often find it difficult to govern effectively? • What were the main differences between the Democrat and Republican political parties?

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