us political system

congress

congress makes laws, declares war and checks work of the president, is the legislative branch and is made up of the senate and house of representatives. both have to approve a bill before it becomes law

the senate

part of congress

two senators represent each state

senators sit for six years, 1/3 come up for re-election every 2 years

house of representatives

part of congress

represented proportionate to state population

elected every 2 years

supreme court (judicary)

highest court that approves laws and decides if they are constitutional

supreme court judges appointed by the president

Andrew Jackson

president 1829-1837

associated with the rise of democracy

he was a democrat

second party system

the 2 main political parties where Democrats and Whigs

what did democrats believe

best form of government was least form of government

issues should be decided at state level (not federate)

opposed government intervention in economic matters

thought us should expand westwards

strongest in the South

what did whigs believe

favoured government intervention in economic + social matters

supported higher tariffs and improvements like railways

Northern whigs often supported abolition of slavery