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Our State Government. I. Government for All People. Governments maintain order , provide protection , and promote economic growth. Ancient Greeks developed a democracy-a system in which every citizen votes, and decisions are made by majority rule
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I. Government for All People • Governments maintain order, provide protection, and promote economic growth. • Ancient Greeks developed a democracy-a system in which every citizen votes, and decisions are made by majority rule • During the Middle Ages, England and France created monarchies-where one person, usually a king or queen, rules and makes all the important decisions. • Oligarchies-only a few powerful people ruled • Dictatorship-one person has complete control over the government • Click on following link for short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y43a6BsNQb4&feature=related
A. The Federal Government • The US adopted a federal republic-government is divided between federal, state, and local government. • Voters vote for representatives, and decisions are made by a majority rule of the representatives voters have chosen. • Our nation’s government is a single body called the federalgovernment. • Purpose is to carry out functions that are too much for local government. • It establishes uniform rules and regulations to keep society and the economy running. • Regulates interstate trade • federal government establishes laws that affect every state
II. Articles of Confederation • First federal government was based on the Articles of Confederation. • Founding fathers were afraid of government becoming too strong like England. • States had most of the power • Because the federal government was too weak to maintain control, states were competing rather than working together. • This caused economic problems, and it was feared the nation would collapse if something wasn’t done.
The Articles of Confederation Click on link for video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h10eSXRFsTM
III. The Constitution of the United Statesclick on link for introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6tAs9x-yWE&feature=related
A. The Constitutional Convention • 1787, 55 delegates representing 12 states met in Pennsylvania • Determined the Articles of Confederation were too weak • Madison truly understood politics and philosophy—Became known as the “Father of the Constitution” • He incorporated many of these ideas into the new Constitution.
B. A New Constitution • Was stronger than the Articles of Confederation. • The English government was a monarch where kings had absolute power and believed God placed them on the throne. • Leaders wanted the new Constitution to create a government that could maintain order and protect people, but not be oppressive. • They feltpower must be based on the consent of the people, who had the right to change the government. • The framers also felt government should be based on law and operate within the limits of the Constitution.
IV. Bill of Rights • Four statesrefused to ratify the new Constitution because it didn’t specifically guarantee basic freedoms, such as speech and religion. • The framers of the Constitution agreed, added ten amendments to the Constitution, and called them the Bill of Rights. • Other countries have modeled their constitutions on ours for many reasons. • It is strong yet flexible. • Power resides with the people. • Due to its design, the Constitution has allowed our country to survive many challenging times, political crisis, economic upheaval, social change, and war.
The Preamble – click on link • Opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution • States goals of the Constitution • 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 blessingsof liberty, to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLP_HGKq-jg&feature=related
V. Checks and Balances • Means power is spread amongst the different branches of government so no one branch becomes too powerful or abusive • Created 3 branches of government—Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Click on LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1zrnR6q7g&feature=related