Citizenship in the Nation
BSA Eagle Scout Required Merit Badge
Designed by: Gayla S. Keesee
2004
No More KingsAccording to the lyrics, what
problems did the colonists have with British rule?
What other problems are you aware of?
How did the colonists attempt to solve the problems?
How was the government for the new United States of America different from the British government?
Four Parts
Preamble Why writing this document
Theory of government Government formed with consent of
the people If government does not serve the
people, they have the right to rebel
Grievances against the British government
Actual declaration
Basic Ideas
Statement of the American theory of government
Three basic ideas God made all men equal and given
them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Main business of government to protect these rights
If a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and set up a new government
Articles of Confederation1781-1789
Confederation Loosely joined together group of
states
First form of governmentStates retained most authorityDecentralized, weak union
Articles of Confederation1781-1789
Problems No executive or judiciary
Foreign affairs—Britain, Spain, FranceNative Americans
No power to tax Could only “request” that states pay war
debts
No power to regulate interstate tradeInterstate bickering
Money States coined own moneyWorthless “Continentals”
Basic Ideas
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
I. Popular Sovereignty
The people hold the ultimate authority
A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.
II. Limited Government
Framers wanted to guard against tyranny
Government is limited to the powers given in the Constitution
The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed
III. Federalism
The division of power between State and National Governments
Some powers are sharedThe National Government has the
“supreme power”— Supremacy Clause
IV. Separation of Powers
No one holds “too much” power
Legislative branch makes the laws
Executive branch carries out the laws
Judicial branch interprets the laws
V. Checks and Balances
Prevents the abuse of power in government
Each branch can check each other
Preamble ~
Explains why the
Constitution was written
Articles
(7)~
Describe how the government
works and how the Constitution can be changed
Amendments (27)
~
Describes the rights of the
citizens of the United States
The Constitution
We the People, 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 blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution of
the United States of America.
The Preamble
We, the People of the United States, want to make a better country.
We want a court system that treats people fairly and equally.
We want peace in our country.
We want an army to protect us.
We want our people to have the things they need.
We want freedom now and in the future.
We are writing and signing this Constitution to guarantee we will have these things.
What Does It Mean?
What are the three branches?What is the main responsibility of
each?
Three-Ring Government
Legislative Branch—makes laws
Executive Branch—enforces
laws
Judicial Branch—interprets
laws
The Federal Capital Building
House of Representatives The Senate
House of Representatives Serve 2 year terms Must be at least 25 years old Must be a resident of the U.S.
7 years Based on state population Each state has at least
one representative Total = 435 members
Senate Serve 6 year termsMust be at least 30 years oldMust be a resident of the U.S.
9 yearsEach state has 2 senatorsTotal = 100 members
Representatives—Georgia
Charles Norwood GA-92452 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515-1009www.house.gov/norwood
Max Burns GA-12512 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515-1012burns.house.gov
Senators—Georgia
Zell Miller257 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington DC 20510 http://miller.senate.gov
Saxby Chambliss 416 Russell Senate Office
Bldg. Washington, DC 20510http://chambliss.senate.gov
Representative—S.C.
J. Gresham Barrett (SC 3rd) 1523 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515-4003www.house.gov/barrett
Government Representatives
Senators—South CarolinaLindsey Graham
290 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-4001lgraham.senate.gov
Ernest (Fritz) Hollings125 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-4002hollings.senate.gov
Enumerated Powers—Legislative Branch
House of RepresentativesSenate
Make our laws All laws must pass both Houses
Tax and spend the money raised by taxes House must introduce all spending bills
Borrow moneyEstablish uniform bankruptcy laws
Provide for the nation’s defense and general welfare Raise and support armies and a navy Organize a militia (National Guard) Authority to call out militia to suppress
insurrections or repel invasions
Declare War Congress must approve a
declaration of war
Coin money and regulate its value Fix the standard of weights and
measuresProtect copyrights and patentsEstablish Post Offices and RoadsRegulate Interstate Commerce and
TransportationRegulate Immigration and
Naturalization
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court…
The Constitution provides only for a Supreme Court, and left it to Congress to create lower (“inferior”) courts, and to set their jurisdictions and duties
Elastic Clause
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Types of Legislation
Four basic types Bills Joint resolutions Concurrent resolutions Simple resolutions
All bills must pass the House and Senate in the exact same form before they are sent to the President.
An idea for a bill may come from anybody.
Only Members of Congress can introduce a bill.
Bills can be introduced at any time the House or Senate is in session.
A Representative or Senator who introduces a bill becomes that bill’s sponsor. A bill may also have cosponsors.
Once a Bill is introduced, it is sent to committee for discussion and debate.
The Bill must pass both houses in the exact same form in order to be sent to the President.
Presidential Options
Sign the bill into law
Veto the bill
Do nothing
Presidential Options
1.Sign the bill into law Immediately becomes law Only the Supreme Court can remove
the law
2.Veto the bill Return to Congress unsigned—
usually with an explanation Congress can override the veto with
2/3 vote of both House
Presidential Options
3.Do nothingIf Congress is in session 10
business days after the President receives the bill, automatically becomes law
If Congress adjourns within 10 business days, the bill dies—Pocket Veto
Congress can do nothing to override this decision.
4 year terms no more than a total of 10 years in
succession
Must be at least 35 years oldA resident of the United
States for 14 years A natural-born citizen
President George W. Bush
Vice-President Dick Cheney
Cabinet Presidential Advisors 15 departments
• Secretary of State
• Secretary of the Treasury
• Secretary of Defense
• Attorney General
• Secretary of the Interior
• Secretary of Agriculture
• Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of Transportation
• Secretary of Education
• Secretary of Energy
• Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
• Secretary of Homeland Security
The Cabinet
Enumerated Powers of the President
National Security PowersLegislative Powers
Administrative PowersJudicial Powers
National Security Powers: Serves as the Commander-in-Chief of
the armed forces. Can authorize the use of troops
overseas. To declare war officially, he must get the approval of the Congress
Makes treaties with other nations; however, the Senate must approve any treaty before it becomes official
Nominates ambassadors, with the agreement of the Senate
Legislative Powers: Presents information on the state of
the union to Congress Recommends legislation to Congress. Convenes both houses of Congress in
special sessions Approves laws passed by Congress
Administrative Powers: “Take care that the laws be faithfully
executed” -- Article II, Section 3 Appoints the heads of each Executive
Branch department Appoints ambassadors, Supreme
Court Justices, and other officials, with approval of the Senate
Fills administrative vacancies during congressional recesses
Judicial Powers: Grants reprieves and pardons for
Federal crimes (except impeachment)
Appoints Federal judges, with the agreement of the Senate
Presidential Election:Electoral College
Compromise Direct popular election vs.
Election by CongressNumber of electors based on
total number of Senators and Representatives for each state Georgia has 14 electors
Supreme Court Justices“Nine Players” (1869)
Seven members were fine'Till 1869Go up then downFrom 10-7But this act gave us nine.
Back Row (left to right): Ginsburg, Souter, Thomas, Breyer Front Row (left to right): Scalia, Stevens, Rehnquist, O'Connor, Kennedy
Supreme Court Eight Justices and one Chief
Justice Appointed by the President and
approved by the Senate Appointed for life
as long as they want”good behavior”
Enumerated Powers of the
Supreme Court
Original Jurisdiction—hear directlyCases affecting Ambassadors,
other public Ministers and Consuls (Diplomats)
Cases in which a state shall be party
Appellate Jurisdiction—review decisions of lower court Admiralty and maritime cases Controversies involving one or
more states Controversies involving the
United States
•Three levels•District trial courts -- lowest level of courts •Appeals courts -- middle level of courts •Supreme Court -- highest court in the country
Federal Court System
Checks and Balances
No one branch has more power than another
ExecutiveChecksOn the
Legislative
* Can propose laws
* Can veto laws
* Can call specialsessions of Congress
* Makes appointments
* Negotiates foreign treaties
* Can grant pardons to federal offenders
ExecutiveChecks On theJudicial
* Appoints federal judges
Checks and Balances
Legislative
Checks
On the
JudicialLegislative
Checks
On the
Executive* Can override President’s veto
* Confirms executive appointments
* Ratifies treaties
* Appropriates money
* Can impeach and remove President
* Can impeach and remove judges
* Create lower federal courts
* Can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions
* Approves appointments of federal judges
Checks and Balances
* Can declare Executive actions unconstitutional
Judicial Checks onthe Executive Branch
* Can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
Judicial Checks onthe Legislative Branch
Checks and Balances
* Presides over impeachment
proceedings
Relationship BetweenStates and National
Government
Delegated powers Reserved powers Concurrent powers Restricted powers
Powers Delegated to National Government
Coin money
Declare War
Regulate interstate & foreign trade
Set standard weights & measures
Create & maintain armed forces
Make copyright & patent laws
Establish postal offices
Establish foreign policy
Create federal courts
Admit new states
Powers Reserved by States
Create corporation laws
Regulate trade within state
Establish &maintain schools
Establish local governments
Make laws aboutmarriage & divorce
Conduct elections
Provide for public safety
Provide for public welfare
Administer criminal justice
Charter banks
Raise taxes
Borrow money
Restricted Powers
Article 1: Section 10 No State shall
enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation
coin money grant any title of nobility
Restricted Powers
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, impose taxes on imports or exports lay any duty of tonnage keep Troops, or Ships of War in time
of Peace enter into any agreement or
compact with another state, or with a foreign power
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in imminent danger
Amendments to the Constitution can be either additions or changes to the original text.
Since 1787, over 9,000 amendments have been proposed, but only 27 have been approved.
Amendment Process
Two Ways to Propose Amendments Congress
Whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary
Constitutional Convention When two thirds of the state legislatures call a
Convention for proposing Amendments
Ratification—Two Ways Three fourths of the state Legislatures Three fourths of the state Conventions
The Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the U. S. Constitution
The first amendment— 5 rights mentioned
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Assembly
Right to petition the government
Freedom of Religion
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise there of”
Two clauses:Establishment clauseFree Exercise clause
Establishment Clause—Government cannot promote
religion
Free exercise of religion
Establishment clause-Government
Can Cannot Teach about
religions in school Allow voluntary
prayer in many examples
Transport students to a religious school
Read Bible for culture or literacy content
Establish a state religion
Order a prayer Teach religious
doctrine in the school
Pay seminary teachers
Teach creationism
Free Exercise—The personCan Cannot
Choose to worship when/where one chooses
Lead a prayer in most examples
Ask questions about religions
Worship whom or whatever he/she wants
Break the law and claim it is a religious belief
Raise children without an education
Deprive children of basic needs
Force others to follow his/her religious practices
Freedom of speech
“Congress shall make no laws . . . abridging the freedom of speech”
Free speech–The individual can:
Voice any political belief Protest (without getting out of
control) Say things about someone that
are true Burn the flag Say racist and hate slogans
Free speech means someone might say something you disagree with
Free speech—limits on the person
Cannot threaten to blow up airplanes, schools, or the President
No sexual harassment Incite riotsUse extremely crude language in a
public forumSay untrue things about someone
Freedom of the press
Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the freedom of the press.”
Freedom of the press-the pressCan Cannot
Print any political position
Make fun of people, especially politicians
Expose wrongs by the government
Say things you might not agree with
Libel– intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by false facts
Disclose defense-security secrets
Detail how to make a certain weapons
Freedom of Assembly
Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . The people to peaceably assemble”
Freedom of Assembly--Individual
Can Cannot
Protest Parade (with a
permit) Parade chanting
hate slogans Gang members
can congregate in public
Protest by throwing rocks and breaking windows
Hang out on private land against owners will—loitering
Teen curfew
Petition the Government
“Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . the people. . . to petition the government for a redress of grievances”
Petition the government
You may sue the government for wrongs
You cannot be punished for exposing wrongs committed by the government
The courts decide the wrongs
2nd Amendment—Right to bear arms
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
What is the debate with the right to bear arms?
How much can the government keep guns from criminals and youth?
In order to keep guns away from criminals, does that limit the right of law abiding citizens?
Third Amendment—Quartering of Troops
The Government cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent in time of war or peace.
Rights of the Accused Amendments #4-8
Fourth Amendment
What does a policeman need in order to search your home? Probable
cause A warrant
signed by a judge
Fifth Amendment
You cannot be tried for the same crime twice—called “Double Jeopardy”
You do not have to testify against yourself. “I plead the fifth”
You must have due process of law before you are convicted
The government cannot take your land unless it pays for it
Sixth Amendment
Right to speedy trial by impartial jury
You must be told of charges
You must be provided a lawyer if you cannot afford one
Sixth Amendment
Jury trial in civil cases as well as criminal cases.
Eighth Amendment
No excessive bail
No cruel and unusual punishment
Tenth Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
The “Civil War” Amendments
The 13th Amendment (1865) prohibits slavery in the United States.
The 14th Amendment (1868) establishes that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens and that no state shall deprive citizens of their rights under the Constitution or deny “equal protection of the laws.”
The 15th Amendment established the right of citizens to vote regardless of “race, creed, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
Voting Rights Amendments
15th Amendment regardless of “race, creed, color, or
previous condition of servitude”
19th Amendment Women shall have the right to vote
23rd Amendment District of Columbia suffrage
24th Amendment No one has to pay a tax to vote
26th Amendment 18-year-olds given right to vote
TAX
Prohibition
18th Amendment Illegal to make, sell, distribute or
drink alcoholic beverages
21st Amendment Repealed the 18th Amendment
Functions of Government
1. Defense 2. Law Enforcement 3. Postal System 4. Highways 5. Veterans Benefits 6. Welfare 7. Social Security 8. Foreign Relations 9. Natural Resources 10. Agriculture
Functions of Government
DefenseDepartment of Defense
Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
Protects the nationDefend our interests
around the world
Functions of Government
Law Enforcement Preserve public order Protect citizens’ rights and freedom
Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) Part of the U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Postal Service Delivery of written communications Handle more than 165 billion pieces
of mail each year. Deliveries to nearly 29,000 post
offices in each country
Functions of Government
Highways More than 3.8 million miles of
interstate highways and federal roads
Highway Trust FundHelps finance construction and
maintenance with funds from theIncome from taxes on gasoline, tires, and
engine parts
Functions of Government
Veterans’ Benefits Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits to more than 25 million
veterans and their families
Functions of Government
Welfare US Department of Health and Human
ResourcesFood StampsAid to families with Dependent ChildrenSupplemental Security income
Social Security Pensions for retired persons Disability pay and medical insurance
for the elderly Financed through fixed contributions
from workers and their employers
Functions of Government
Foreign RelationsForeign policy
President Assisted by the Department of State
Maintain diplomatic relations with other countries
Help encourage international trade for U.S. products and services
Functions of Government Natural Resources
550 million+ acres of land under its jurisdiction Protect and preserve—land, water, minerals, fish,
wildlife National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Indian Affairs
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Independent agency of the federal government Control and end pollution of air, soil, and water from
solid wastes, noise, radiation, and toxic substances
Functions of Government Agriculture
Improve farm income Expand markets abroad for agricultural products Enhance the environment and agricultural production Reduce hunger and malnutrition in the U.S. Rural development and credit programs Food inspection and grading services—food quality
Subsidies—monies paid to farmers and ranchers to regulate or stimulate the production of various agricultural products
Extension agents demonstrate new methods and technologies to farmers and ranchers
Financing the Government
The federal government is the nation’s largest employer, borrower, spender, and consumer.
Taxes Borrowing money Management
Revenue
Most government revenues are received through taxes
Individual taxes—largest source of money Other taxes
Corporate income taxes Excise taxes on goods and services Customs duties Social Security taxes
Miscellaneous income Sale of government assets—offshore drilling
rights and land Collection of various licenses and fees
Borrowing Money
National Debt
The money the government owes
Tyrannosaurus Debt
TOUR GUIDE: To your left, folks, is the Washington Monument, to your right, the White House. And over there, just beyond the Capitol, is the National Debt!
TOUR GUIDE: The debt was born in 1790 when our new government took over 75 million the colonies spent in the Revolutionary War.
TOUR GUIDE: Alexander Hamilton, our first Secretary of the Treasury (he's on the 10, you know), wanted a federal debt to provide a reason to establish taxes to support our new nation.
Tyrannosaurus Debt
TOUR GUIDE: The Civil War ran up a debt of almost three billion dollars that still wasn't paid off by World War One.
We're spending money we don't haveOr so it would appearThe deficit is that amount we overspend each yearThough congressmen and senatorsMake vows to cut its sizeDespite their honest efforts
The debt just seems to rise
Tyrannosaurus Debt
Tyrannosaurus DebtTOUR GUIDE: And this is the U.S. Treasury.
It sells Treasury Bonds, bills, and notes, and savings bonds to finance the debt. The U.S. government promises to pay the owner interest plus the value of each bond at a future date.
TOUR GUIDE: Feeding time is ALL the time.
Management
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Collects all taxes imposed by the the federal
government More than 100 million tax returns yearly
The U.S. Customs Service Collects taxes called duties, on many imported
goods Prevents illegal goods from being smuggled into
the U.S The Treasurer of the U.S.
Manages all government funds Pays all bills
Management
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Reviews and alters budget requests from
departments of the executive branch to comply with the preferences of the President
Federal Reserve Board Independent agency of the government Regulates credit and borrowing in the
American banking system
It is our job as citizens to pay attention to politics, to
question, to participate.
Democracy only functions if its citizens are
educated, critical thinkers.
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