Foundations of Reading

Legislative Branch

Responsible for making laws in the U.S and is composed of the House of Representatives and the senate.

Executive Branch

Responsible for enforcing the law, spending money, and declaring emergencies. It includes the President, Vice President, and their advisors.

Judicial Branch

interprets laws, applies them to specific cases and ensures they align with the constitution. (analyze and determine the meaning)

Monarchy

A form of government where a single person serves as the head of state, often for life or until abdication (retirement or death) and their position is typically hereditary/ some s are elected. (kings and queens)

Democracy

Everyone gets a say in how things are run, like voting for who will lead or what rules to follow, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.

Oligarchy

Power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of people, often with great wealth or influence.

Dictatorship

System where a single person or a small group holds absolute power with limited or no checks and balances on their authority.

Republic

Power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and the head of state is not a hereditary monarch

Theocracy

where religious leaders or officials are seen as divinely guided and rule according to religious principles.

Communism

a political and economic system where the state controls the means of production and seeks to establish a classless society.

Socialism

 a political and economic system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the state, theoretically seeking a more equitable distribution of resources. 

Anarchy

state of society without any form of government or authority.

The First Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

The Second Amendment

Right to bear arms

The Third Amendment

protects citizens from being forced to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime, and requires that any such housing in wartime be "prescribed by law

The Fourth Amendment

Protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government , meaning police generally need a warrant based on probable cause to search a person or their property

The Fifth Amendment

The right to remain silent