This booklet allows students to learn the basics of democracy. It covers people's participation and their involvement, also tells about the basic functionality of government.
1.
2. Vocabulary • Loyalty - being devoted, or faithful to something or someone • When we pledge allegiance to our flag we are showing our loyalty to our country
3. Vocabulary • Democracy - a government run by the people
4. ratify • To approve something • The United States Constitution had to be ratified before becoming the law of the land.
5. THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT * Legislative * Executive * Judicial
6. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH House of Representatives and Senate
7. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • Also called Congress. • Meet in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
8. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • House of Representatives • Senate • Responsibility is to make (create) laws.
9. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • 435 Seats • Number of seats determined by state population. • Leader is called Speaker of the House.
10. SENATE • 100 seats -2 seats per state - separate vote • Vice President is President of Senate but NO vote unless a tie.
11. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • Powers of Congress • To tax, to borrow money, to coin money • To declare war • To raise and support armies • To make all laws that are necessary and proper
12. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
13. EXECUTIVE BRANCH • Responsible for enforcing the laws. • President is the head of the Executive Branch. • President provides leadership by setting goals and developing policy.
14. EXECUTIVE BRANCH • Must be a natural born citizen • Must be at least 35 years old • Must be 14 years a resident within the United States • Term is for 4 years - only 2 in a row • Must give state of the union to Congress
15. EXECUTIVE BRANCH • Must take an oath as follows, “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”
16. EXECUTIVE BRANCH • Powers of the President…. • Commander and Chief of the Army and Navy • Can grant pardons and Can veto laws. • Can call Congress into session. • Make treaties, appoint Supreme Court Justices and Ambassadors - Senate approval
17. THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
18. JUDICIAL BRANCH • Responsible for interpreting the law in regards to the Constitution • Final court of appeals for state and federal cases. • Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President, approved by the Senate, and they hold their office for life or retirement.
19. JUDICIAL BRANCH • Currently - 9 Justices - only can be changed by Constitutional Amendment • Justices hear 150 cases per year - over 5000 requests • 4 Justices need to agree to hear a case • Session is October through June • Removed by impeachment or conviction
20. Where do you fit in? • Maybe someday you will run for office. • You could be the Mayor of Vernon, a town council person, or a judge. • Maybe you want to be President someday…
21. Rights and Responsibilities • Even if you do not want to run for an office you all can and should participate in government. • HOW? • Every citizen has the right and responsibility to vote.
22. New York State Government • Executive Branch – Governor (elected to 4 year terms) {enforces the laws} • Legislative Branch – State Senate and State Assembly {makes the laws} • Judicial Branch – State courts and judges {decides if laws are fair and constitutional}
23. Local Government • Executive Branch – Mayor {enforces the laws} • Legislative Branch – town or city council {makes the laws} • Judicial Branch – town/ city courts and judges {decides if laws are fair and constitutional}
+1-315-636-4485
+91 98151-74050 
