In what ways does the Capitalist economic system in the
USA allow many American citizens to have a high standard
of living? (KU4)
Explain capitalism- you can set up your own business, pay
less wages, pay less tax. Example- Bill Gates, Donald
Trump, Steve Jobs.
American Dream- Be successful, better lifestyle- only if
you work hard.
What am I learning today?
•The Constitution
•The Bill of Rights
THE CONSTITUTION (1)
On the 4th of July 1776 America declared its
independence from Britain. Britain refused
to grant this independence and war broke out
lasting until 1783.
After years of failing to agree how
this new country should be run, an
agreement was finally reached in
September 1787 when
most of the states involved gave
approval to the American
Constitution.
THE CONSTITUTION (2)
• It explains the rights
that all Americans
have and how the
country is governed.
• The first 10
amendments are
known as the Bill of
Rights.
• Famous amendments
include the 2nd (guns)
and 5th (right to
remain silent)
BILL OF
RIGHTS
The Bill of Rights is part of the
Constitution where the rights of
Americans are set out
Lesson Starter
1. What is a constitution?
2. What is an amendment?
The Constitution outlines the system of
government in the USA. There are three
branches of government.
Federal Government in the USA
The Legislature
The Executive
Makes the country’s laws
Administers the country
Congress
House of
The Judiciary
Senate
The President and
The Vice-President
Representatives
Elect
Voters
Elect
Explains and interprets
the laws and the
constitution
The Supreme Court
Appointed by the
President
with the advice and
consent of the Senate
Heading: The Government of the USA
Match the correct heads and tails to make four accurate
statements about the American Government.
HEADS
TAILS
•The American Government has
three branches…
• …court system that operates in
the US.
•The Legislative Branch refers to
the people who…
•…of government- Legislature,
Executive and Judiciary.
•The Executive Branch is headed
by the …
•…President of the USA, and it
carries out the laws passed in
Congress.
•The Judicial Branch is basically
the …
•…makes the laws in the US. i.e.
the American Parliament
(Congress)
Separation of Powers
The American people believe that it would be _______ for
their elected representatives to have too much _______.
They therefore have a special rule called the ‘Separation of
Powers’. This means that all three branches of the American
Government _________ power and _________ on the work
of the other. The people who wrote the Constitution thought
that it would help make the US a more ____________and
fairly organised country.
Wordbank:
democratic
dangerous
power
share
check
Separation of Powers
The American people believe that it would be _______ for
their elected representatives to have too much _______.
They therefore have a special rule called the ‘Separation of
Powers’. This means that all three branches of the American
Government _________ power and _________ on the work
of the other. The people who wrote the Constitution thought
that it would help make the US a more ____________and
fairly organised country.
Wordbank:
democratic
dangerous
power
share
check
PRESIDENT
SENATOR
FEDERAL LEVEL
REPRESENTATIVES
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
(CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN)
STATE GOVERNOR
STATE SENATOR
STATE LEVEL
REPRESENTATIVES
STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMBER
Who can you vote for?
PARTICIPATION IN ELECTING
REPRESENTATIVES
FEDERAL LEVEL
STATE LEVEL
•Voters can choose
the P_________,
a member of the
House of
R____________
and a US senator.
There are many
opportunities to
vote for someone
at state level. Two
examples include:
1.Senator
2.
LOCAL LEVEL
At county level
you may be asked
to vote for
anything from
Sheriff or town
Mayor.
Federal
• President
• Armed forces
• Foreign relations
(war, treaties)
• Post office
• Currency
• Disputes between
states
• FBI
v
State
• Governor
• Local laws ( age of
marriage, age of
drinking)
• Education
• Punishments (capital)
• Roads
• Local taxes
• Local law
enforcement
THE US CONSTITUTION
Standard Grade Modern Studies
Syllabus Area 3: Ideologies - USA
What is a CONSTITUTION?
A constitution is a set of rules
which explain how the government
of a country works.
Why did the US need a
Constitution?
• Between 1776 and 1783, the Americans
fought the British to get their
independence.
• In 1783, the British left.
• America had no government.
• Every country needs a government.
• How were the Americans going to form
a government?
THE US CONSTITUTION
• The US has a written constitution.
• It was signed in 1787.
• It describes the government of the US
and what that government is allowed to
do.
ARTICLE 1
• Describes how laws are made in the
USA. It describes the work and
membership of the House of
Representatives and the Senate. It also
describes what the government of the
USA is entitled to make laws about.
ARTICLE 2
• Describes the power
of the President,
who is entitled to
hold the office of
President and how
long they are
entitled to hold that
office.
AMENDMENTS
• In addition to the original Constitution
there are 27 Amendments.
• The first ten Amendments are known as
the BILL OF RIGHTS because they
protect the rights of citizens of the US
from the power of the government.
AMENDMENTS continued
• Amendment 1 – guarantees freedom of
speech and religion.
• Amendment 2 – gives Americans the
right to carry guns.
• Amendment 5 – allows Americans the
right to silence if they think their
answers might incriminate them.
• Amendment 6 – allows citizens the
right to a trial by jury.