study guide social studies unit 3
1. The Three Branches of Government
The U.S. government is structured into three distinct branches, each with its own powers and responsibilities, designed to ensure a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances.
1.1. Legislative Branch (Congress)
Role: Makes laws, declares war, ratifies treaties, controls government spending.
Composition:
House of Representatives: 435 members, representation based on state population, serves two-year terms.
Senate: 100 members (two per state), serves six-year terms.
1.2. Executive Branch (President)
Role: Enforces laws, commands the armed forces, conducts foreign policy, nominates federal judges and other officials.
Composition: President, Vice President, and various departments and agencies.
Powers: Vetoes legislation, appoints cabinet members and ambassadors, issues executive orders.
1.3. Judicial Branch (Courts)
Role: Interprets laws, reviews the constitutionality of laws (judicial review).
Composition:
Supreme Court: Nine justices, serves for life or until retirement, is the highest court in the land.
Lower Federal Courts: District courts (trial courts) and Courts of Appeals.
1.4. Checks and Balances
Legislative over Executive: Can impeach/remove President, override vetoes, approve treaties/appointments.
Legislative over Judicial: Can impeach/remove judges, approve judicial appointments, propose constitutional amendments.
Executive over Legislative: Can veto legislation, call special sessions of Congress.
Executive over Judicial: Appoints federal judges, grants pardons/reprieves.
Judicial over Legislative: Can declare laws unconstitutional.
Judicial over Executive: Can declare executive actions unconstitutional.
2. The System of Federalism
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional (state) governments.
2.1. Key Principles
Division of Powers: Specific powers are assigned to either the federal government, state governments, or shared concurrently.
Dual Sovereignty: Both the federal and state governments operate with their own spheres of authority and derive their powers from the people.
2.2. Types of Powers
Enumerated (Delegated) Powers (Federal): Specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution. Examples: declaring war, coining money, regulating interstate commerce.
Reserved Powers (State): Powers not delegated to the national government nor denied to the states are reserved for the states or the people (Tenth Amendment). Examples: establishing local governments, regulating intrastate commerce, conducting elections, public safety, education.
Concurrent Powers (Shared): Powers exercised by both the federal and state governments. Examples: taxing, building roads, establishing courts, borrowing money.
Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out enumerated powers (from the "Necessary and Proper Clause" or "Elastic Clause"). Example: creating a national bank.
3. Voting and Elections in America
The cornerstone of American democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives.
3.1. Suffrage (Right to Vote)
Original Restrictions: Initially limited to white male property owners.
Key Amendments:
Amendment (1870): Granted African American men the right to vote.
Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote.
Amendment (1971): Lowered the voting age to 18.
3.2. Voter Registration
Requirement: In most states, citizens must register before they can vote.
Process: Varies by state but typically involves filling out a form with proof of residency and identification.
3.3. Types of Elections
Primary Elections: Voters choose party candidates who will run in the general election.
Open Primary: Voters do not have to declare party affiliation.
Closed Primary: Only voters registered with that party can vote.
General Elections: Voters choose among candidates from different parties for various offices.
Special Elections: Held to fill vacancies or address specific issues.
3.4. The Electoral College
Purpose: System used to elect the President and Vice President.
Mechanism: Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes equal to its total number of representatives in Congress (House + Senate).
Winning: A candidate needs a majority of the 538 electoral votes () to win the presidency.
"Winner-Take-All": In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state receives all of its electoral votes. This means the popular vote winner nationwide may not necessarily win the presidency.