Federalism and Separation of powers

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Federalism and Separation of powers

• The New US Government

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Early influences

• There were many influences on our founding
  fathers that helped to shape the ideas that the
  Constitution tries to embrace.
• In England the Magna Carta and the English Bill
  of Rights laid out controls on the British Kings
  power.
• These freedoms were missing under colonial rule
  and were important to Americans.

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• Writing down rules and agreeing to a system of
  government was a tradition in colonial America
  since the Mayflower Compact was signed by the
  pilgrims in Massachusetts.
• Electing representatives to speak for the people
  ( early republican ideals) had been a tradition
  in Virginias House of Burgesses since 1619.
• Many lessons in running a government were found
  in State Constitutions, the Articles of
  Confederation, and their experiences with the
  second Continental Congress.

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Thinking Big

• John Locke, a philosopher during the
  Enlightenment wrote a book where he proposed 2
  major ideas
• 1. All people had natural rights to life,
  liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• 2. People have a right to rebel if the government
  doesnt protect their natural rights.

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Separation of powers

• Baron von Montesquieu, another thinker believed
  that government should be divided into 3 branches
  to limit any part of government from becoming too
  powerful. The executive, the legislative, and the
  judicial.

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Separation of powers
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Executive Branch

• The executive branch of Government makes sure
  that the laws of the United States are obeyed.
  The President of the United States is the head of
  the executive branch of government. This branch
  is very large so the President gets help from the
  Vice President, department heads (Cabinet
  members), and heads of independent agencies.
• President Leader of the country and commands the
  military.
• Vice President President of the Senate and
  becomes President if the President can no longer
  do the job.
• Departments Department heads advise the
  President on issues and help carry out policies.

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Legislative Branch

• The legislative branch of government is made up
  of the Congress and government agencies, such as
  the Government Printing Office and Library of
  Congress, that provide assistance to and support
  services for the Congress. Article I of the
  Constitution established this branch and gave
  Congress the power to make laws. Congress has two
  parts, the House of Representatives and the
  Senate.

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• The U.S. Congress is made up of two parts, the
  House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress
  meets at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its
  primary duty is to write, debate, and pass bills,
  which are then passed on to the President for
  approval.
• Other Powers of Congress
• Makes laws controlling trade between states and
  between theUnited States and other countries.
• Makes laws about taxes and borrowing money.
• Approves the making of money.
• Can declare war on other countries.

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Judicial Branch

• The judicial branch of government is made up of
  the court system. The Supreme Court is the
  highest court in the land. Article III of the
  Constitution established this Court and all other
  Federal courts were created by Congress. Courts
  decide arguments about the meaning of laws, how
  they are applied, and whether they break the
  rules of the Constitution.

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Federalism
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Checks and Balances

• checks and balances -- Limits imposed on all
  branches of government by giving each the right
  to amend acts of the other branches.
• Each branch can stop the actions of another if
  not allowed by the constitution.

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