Unit 4: The National Government

Class Starter

1. Explain the difference between the Melting Pot Theory and the Tossed Salad Theory.

2. What was the House of Burgesses?3. Why was Shays’ Rebellion important?4. Describe the Supremacy Clause.

The Organization of Congress

I. U.S. Congress• Its Job: to make laws for the United States

• Contains 2 Houses:• House of Representatives• Senate

• Has 535 members total

• Constituents: the people living in a legislator’s district

II. The House of Representatives• 435 Members

• Members serve 2 year terms, unlimited

• State representation is determined by population• More people = More representatives• Census—a count of the U.S. population taken

every 10 years

• Gerrymandering: creating odd-shaped elections districts to give one group voting power over another

• Qualifications to be a member:•Must be 25 years old•Must live in the district running for•Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years

• Leader: Speaker of the House• Chosen by seniority

III. The Senate

• 100 Members•Members serve 6 year terms, unlimited• 2 Senators for each state

• Qualifications to be a member:•Must be 30 years old• Live in the state running for• Be a U.S. citizen for 9 years

• Leader: President Pro-Temp

IV. Congressional Committees

• Congress does most of its work in committees

• There are 4 types of committees:• Standing committees: Permanent committees• Select/Special committees: Temporary

committees• Joint committees: committees with members

from both houses• Conference committee: committee in which

members from both houses work out the details of a bill

Letters to Congress ActivityQuick Write

• Explain something that you think is a problem in your community (city, school, state, country).

• Why is this issue a problem for you or other people you know?

• How could the government do something about this problem?

1. What are civic responsibilities?2. How does the Mayflower Compact represent

popular sovereignty?3. Which article describes the Amendment

Process?4. Why do we have checks and balances and

separation of powers?

1. What are civic duties?2. Explain the Great Compromise.3. Why did the Federalists agree to add the Bill

of Rights to the Constitution?4. List 3 powers of Congress.

1. What is tolerance?2. Why was taxation a problem under the

Articles of Confederation?3. What was the main goal of the Constitutional

Convention of 1787?4. Summarize briefly the process for how a bill

becomes law in Congress.

Executive Branch: The President

I. Introduction

• Main duty: Enforce laws

• Constitutional Requirements:1. Must be at least 35 years old2. Must be a natural born citizen3. Must be a resident of the US for at least 14 years

• Indirectly elected through the Electoral College

• Serves 4 year terms– Amendment 22: The President is limited to 2

terms or 10 years in office

• Makes $400,000 a year

II. The Vice President

• Main Responsibility: Official leader of the Senate, Be ready to replace the President

• Must meet same constitutional requirements as President

• What happens when the President becomes unable to do his/her job?– Amendment 25: The VP will become President• Sets up a list of others who will become President

(Speaker of the House, President Pro Temp, Secretary of State)

Class Starter

1. Explain bias.2. What were the major products of New

England’s economy?3. Explain how an amendment is added to the

Constitution.4. List 2 things you know about being President.

Roles of the President

I. Chief Executive

• Carries out nation’s laws– Can veto laws from Congress

• Appoints heads of executive agencies, federal judges, and ambassadors (with Senate approval)

II. Chief Diplomat

• Receives leaders and officials from foreign countries

• Establishes foreign policy for the United States– Main goal: National Security

III. Commander in Chief

• Leader of the US Armed Forces

• War Powers Act of 1973: The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of troops being sent into battle– Troops must be brought back after 60 days unless

Congress approves their stay

IV. Legislative Leader

• President suggests legislation to Congress

• President gives State of the Union speech each year to explain his goals to Congress

V. Economic Leader

• Prepares the federal government budget each year

• Suggests legislation to Congress that would impact the economy

VI. Party Leader

• President is the visible leader of his political party

• Helps other members of his party to get elected to offices

VII. Head of State

• Symbolic leader of the country– Gives medals to heroes, attends important

ceremonies, makes appearances all over the US

Honors Civics and EconomicsRoles of the President Activity

1. Read your assigned article.

2. Answer the following questions:1. What role is the President playing in your article?2. Pull out 3 details that support which role you think

the President is playing

3. Create an illustration to describe which role the President is playing in your article.

Civics and EconomicsRoles of the President Activity

1. Get into your assigned groups

2. Create a large illustration of the Presidential role you have been assigned.

3. Be able to explain how your picture explains the role you were assigned.

1. What is volunteerism?2. How are volunteers beneficial to US

society?.3. Explain the difference between the Virginia

and New Jersey Plans of government.4. Explain Federalism.

• Pg. 37 #1-4• Pg. 43 #1-3• Pg. 47 #1-4• Pg. 48 #1-6

The Federal Bureaucracy

I. What is the Federal Bureaucracy?

• Definition: A group of departments and agencies under the President

• Their job: Help the President carry out laws

• Government has to have these depts. to fulfill citizens’ needs

II. Parts of the Federal Bureaucracy

• The Federal Bureaucracy has 3 parts:– Executive Office of the President—The President’s

closest advisors (Chief of Staff, Press Secretary)– The Cabinet—a set of 15 departments that assist

the President• Department of Justice• Department of Homeland Security

– Federal Agencies—agencies not controlled directly by the President, but he/she picks their leaders• Regulatory Agencies—Regulates industries, Ex. FCC,

FAA• Government Corporations—businesses run by the

government, Ex. USPS• Independent Executive Agencies—deals with

specialized areas of the government, Ex. Federal Reserve, NASA

***See Agencies Chart***