SSCG2a: Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract Theory
John Locke believed people were born with “natural rights” (life, liberty, and property)
John Locke also advocated the Social Contract Theory, which states that there is an implied contract between government and citizens.
Thomas Jefferson asserted in the Declaration of Independence
Citizens have the right to resist and/or replace it with a new system.
SSCG2b. The Declaration of Independence is a persuasive argument
The Declaration of Independence makes these arguments: 1. “All men are created equal” 2. Unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 3. Powers of government from consent of the governed 4. Grievances against the king of England, George III 5. When revolution should occur
When government becomes “destructive” Government should not be changed for “light or
transient causes” After a long period of “abuses and usurpations”
SSCG3a: Debate over ratification of Constitution (1787-1789)
Federalists favored a strong central government and
supported the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists feared a strong central government. Believed the federal government could only do what the Constitution specifically said.
The Federalist Papers- Essays written to persuade ratification of the Constitution.
Supported by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams.
The Anti-Federalists agreed to ratify the Constitution if a Bill of Rights was added.
SSCG3C. Fundamental principles of the United States Constitution
Rule of law – the U.S. is a society governed by set laws.
Everyone must obey the nation’s laws.
Popular Sovereignty –government is empowered by the will of its people.
Separation of Powers – power is divided by three branches:
– legislative, judicial, and executive.
Checks and balances – Each branch can check the powers of the other two.
Federalism – power is shared between the national and state governments
SSCG4: Organization and powers of the national government
a. Describe the structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Executive – President – enforces laws
1. 4-year terms, limited to 2 terms
2. Elected by Electoral College
3. Powers and Duties (Article II, Sections 2& 3)
a. Commander-in-chief of armed forces
b. Can make treaties
c. Can appointment Supreme Court justices, Cabinet
4. The Vice-President and Cabinet are
part of the executive branch
SSCG4a: Organization and powers of the national government.
Legislative - Congress – makes laws BICAMERAL – Two Houses
House of Representatives
1. Representation based on population
2. At least one per state
3. Special power to impeach, initiate tax bills
4. Presiding officer – Speaker of the House
Senate
1. Representation is equal – 2 per state
2. Special power to approve President’s treaties and appointments (2/3 majority required)
3. Serves as jury during impeachment trials
4. Presiding officer – Vice-President of the U.S.
SSCG4a: Organization and powers of the national government
Judicial – Supreme Court interprets laws
1. Highest court in the nation
2. Court of final appeal
3. Congress establishes inferior courts
Executive Branch
The President
•Enforces the nation’s laws
•Heads the armed forces
•Represents the nation in foreign affairs
Legislative Branch
Congress
•Passes taxes
•Makes new laws
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court
(and other Federal Courts)
•Decides whether or not laws are constitutional
Can:
Propose legislation
Veto legislation
Call special legislative sessions
Recommend appointments
Negotiate foreign treaties
Can:
Appoint federal judges
Grant pardons and reprieves to federal offenders
Can:
Pass legislation
Override a presidential veto
Confirm executive appointments
Ratify treaties
Appropriate money
Impeach and remove a President
Can:
Declare executives actions and laws unconstitutional
Can:
Declare legislation unconstitutional
Can:
Create lower federal courts and judgeships
Impeach judges
Propose constitutional amendments to override judicial decisions
Approve appointments of federal judges
SSCG4b The three branches of government; checks and balances; separation of powers.
SSCG5a: State government v. the national government.
Federalism: power is divided between states and the national government.
10th Amendment: any powers not specifically granted to the national government are reserved for the states.
No state government may pass a law that violates the U.S. Constitution.
SSCG5b: Enumerated v. Implied powers.
Enumerated Powers are explicitly granted by the Constitution.
– Article I, Section 8
• The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes,
Implied Powers are powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
– necessary and proper clause or the elastic clause
• Regulating interstate commerce=Regulating telecommunications
SSCG5c: How much power is shared between states and the national government
The balance of power between the two levels of government has spawned some
of the most intense controversies in American history. Historically, national interests have clashed with states' rights Today, most Americans think of the government in Washington as more powerful
than the state governments Federalism is still one of the most important founding principles of the United
States.
SSCG5d. Powers denied to state and national governments.
Any power expressly denied the national government is also denied to the states State government may NOT pass laws that violate the U.S. Constitution. • National Government • May not violate the Bill of Rights • May not impose export taxes among states • May not use money from the Treasury without an appropriations bill • May not change state boundaries • State Governments • May not enter into treaties with other countries • May not print money • May not tax imports or exports • May not Impair obligations of contracts • May not suspend a person's rights without due process
SSCG5f. The supremacy clause (Article VI) and the U.S. Constitution as the “supreme law of the land.”
Article 6: Constitution is the supreme law of the nation.
- No federal, state, or local law can
conflict with the Constitution.
SSCG6a The Bill of Rights (1st Amendment freedoms)
The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.
The 1st Amendment guarantees the following for citizens:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom to petition the government
Freedom to assemble
Freedom of religion
Separation of church and state
SSCG6b Due process in the 5th and 14th Amendments.
The 5th Amendment ensures that no person shall be imprisoned or deprived of his or her property without due process.
Due process
prevents government abuse
ensures citizens charged with a crime are not denied their rights
The 14th Amendment makes it illegal for any state government to pass laws denying liberties
guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.
SSCG6d. Balancing individual liberties and the public interest. .
Individual liberties are the personal freedoms every citizens enjoys under the Constitution.
Public interest refers to those things which citizens have a common interest: public safety, national security, a healthy environment, protection from dangerous products in the market place, etc.
At times, protecting public interest can infringe on individual liberties.
– After September 11, 2001, the U.S. government passed the PATRIOT Act • Granted government officials freedom to monitor communication.
Many appreciate such a law because it protects the public.
While others believe laws go too far because they invade citizens’ privacy and violate individual liberties.
SSCG6e. Every citizen has the right to be treated equally under the law.
Nor shall any State . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. – Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Today, the Constitution has been amended so that, at least in theory, every U.S. citizen is given equal protection under the law regardless of skin color, gender, age, wealth, etc.
SSCG7: Characteristics of a citizen
• U.S. citizens have civic responsibilities
• These civic duties include:
– Obeying laws
– Paying taxes
– Serving jury duty
– Performing public service
– Registering for the draft (required for 18-year-old males)
– Political participation
– Staying well-informed
SSCG8a Roles of political parties.
The U.S. Constitution says nothing about political parties
Despite George Washington’s objections Political parties have become an important part of U.S. policies.
Political parties are organizations that promote political beliefs and sponsor candidates. The U.S. operates on a two-party system
These two parties are the Democrats and Republicans
Political parties serve the following roles: They nominate candidates for office
Coordinate the actions of government officials
Establish party platforms
Constituencies: are the people who make up and are represented by the party.
Democrats are more liberal
Republicans are more conservative
SSCG8b. The nomination and election process
Primary elections are held to choose between candidates within the same
party
General Elections are where local, state, and federal officials are voted into office
In presidential elections, the winner is chosen by the Electoral College. Whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote is awarded ALL of that state’s
votes in the Electoral College.
Georgia currently has 15 electoral votes
SSCG8e. Identify how amendments extend the right to vote.
15th Amendment-Ensures right to vote regardless of race 17th Amendment-Calls for direct election of United States Senators 19th Amendment-Grants women the right to vote
23rd Amendment-Allows voters in Washington D.C., to vote for President and Vice President 26th Amendment- Gives the right to vote to citizens18 years and older
SSCG9: The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership,
and representatives of each house.
U.S. Congress
House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Representation By population of state 2 per state
Length of
terms 2 Years 6 Years
Leadership Led by Speaker of the House Led by Vice President and
president pro tempore
SSCG10a steps in the legislative process.
Introduce in Either House or Senate as a Bill
Referred to Committee
Kills Bill
Debated in floor of House or Senate and voted on
Goes to other legislative body (House or Senate)
Goes to President
Becomes law
2/3 of each body (House and Senate) needed to pass over President’s veto
Yes Yes Yes
Yes
NO NO NO
NO
Yes
Yes
SSCG10b. leadership positions within the legislature.
• The top post in the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House.
• The Vice President presides over the Senate, but he/she only votes if his/her vote is needed to break a tie.
• When the Vice President is not present, the president pro tempore takes his/her place
The two major parties within the Senate and House of Representatives have leaders. The majority leader is the elected leader of the majority party
Conversely, the minority leader leads the minority party.
SSCG12: roles played by the President of the United States
Duties and powers of the President:
1. Chief Executive – the nation’s recognized leader and head of the executive branch. Ultimately responsible for enforcing the nation’s laws
2. Commander-in-chief – the top military commander
3. Foreign policy leader – determines how the U.S. will deal will foreign countries and international situations.
4. Appoints pubic officials –heads of federal departments and federal judges
5. Party Leader –acts as the head of his/her political party.
SSCG14a impeachment process.
The president may be impeached (charged with wrongdoing while in office) by the House of Representatives if suspected of treason, bribery, or “other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
If this occurs, the president stands trial in the Senate
If two-thirds of the Senate finds him/her guilty, then he/she is removed from office.
Only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Neither was found guilty.
SSCG15b: Explain the functions of the Cabinet
Members of the President's Cabinet act as his official advisory group and head executive departments. The President appoints members of his cabinet and the Senate must confirm them. Here is a list of the 14 executive departments.
1. Department of Agriculture
2. Department of Commerce
3. Department of Defense
4. Department of Education
5. Department of Energy
6. Department of Health and Human
Services
7. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
8. Department of the Interior
9. Department of Justice
10. Department of Labor
11. Department of State
12. Department of Transportation
13. Department of the Treasury
14. Department of Veterans' Affairs
SSCG16a Explain the jurisdiction of the federal courts and the state courts.
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts
State Supreme Court
Appellate Courts
Superior Courts
Lower Courts
SSCG16b Examine how John Marshall established the Supreme Court as an independent coequal branch of
government through his opinions in Marbury v. Madison • In 1803, the Supreme Court heard Marbury v.
Madison.
• In this case, the Court ruled that a certain law was unconstitutional.
• This meant that the law violated the Constitution and was invalid.
SSCG16c: Describe how the Supreme Court decides cases.
The Supreme Court Chooses which cases it will head.
If a case is refused, the decision of the lower court will stand.
If the Supreme Court accepts a case: Both sides will present written briefs (legal arguments)
Supreme Court Justices will apply the Constitution when making their decision
After heading all arguments, the justices will vote
There are 9 justices, so 5 votes are needed for a majority
SSCG20: The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy; economic, military and humanitarian aid; treaties; sanctions and
military intervention).
Foreign policy refers to the United States’ relations with other nations and how it handles international situations. The president is predominantly responsible for determining the U.S.’ foreign policy.
• Diplomacy is the process of nations coming together to find peaceful solutions.
• The U.S. offers economic, humanitarian, and military aid to countries that are less developed or hurting as a result of a national disaster.
• Treaties are formal international agreements between nations.
• Sanctions are restrictions or policies placed on a country that may be violating international agreements – Sanctions placed on North Korea for pursuing the development of nuclear weapons
• Military intervention is the most drastic measure for dealing with international conflicts. – The U.S. has been involved in Iraq and now Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting the war on terror.