Levels of Government – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and responsibilities for national, state, and local levels of U.S. government.

Three Levels of Government

The structure of U.S. government divided into national, state, and local levels.

National (Federal) Government

The government in charge of the entire country; led by the President and Congress.

State Government

The government responsible for laws within a state; led by a governor and state legislature.

Local Government

The government of a community, town, or county; led by a mayor and a city council or county commission.

President

Elected leader of the national government who serves 4-year terms, lives in the White House, and ensures federal laws are followed.

Congress

The U.S. legislature that creates national laws; composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress made up of 100 senators.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress composed of 435 representatives.

Powers of National Government

Authority to print money, make treaties, provide an army and navy, establish post offices, declare war, and collect taxes.

Governor

Elected leader of a state who serves 4-year terms, lives in the state capital, and enforces national and state laws.

State Legislature (General Assembly)

A body of state senators and representatives who meet in the state capital to make state laws.

Powers of State Government

Responsibilities like running public schools, maintaining roads, issuing licenses, collecting taxes, and following national laws.

Mayor

Elected leader of a city who works in city hall and prepares the city budget.

City Council / County Commission

Elected local legislative body that works with the mayor to govern the community.

Powers of Local Government

Duties including passing local laws, enforcing them, and deciding how to spend local tax money.