Principles of U.S. Government
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Popular Sovereignty
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Limited Government
Flexibility
Federalism
Inalienable Rights
Due Process

Branches of the
U.S. Government
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Executive Branch
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President: leader of country & commander in chief of military
Vice President: President of Senate, 2 nd in line
Cabinet members: advise President on issues
& help carry out policies
Independent Agencies: help carry out policy
& provide special services

Presidential Powers
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Chief Executive
Chief Diplomat
Chief Legislator
Veto
Commander in Chief of Armed Forces
Chief of State
Grant pardons
Grant amnesty

Legislative Branch
Bi-cameral Congress
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Senate
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House of Representatives
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Law-making branch of government

Main Roles of Congress
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To pass legislation (laws)
Declare war
Regulate trade
Regulate money
Impeach federal officials
Override presidential vetoes (2/3 vote in each house)

Senate
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Upper House
2 senators per state
100 total
6-year terms
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Approve presidential nominations to the federal courts
Approve presidential appointments to federal positions
Approve treaties
Serve as jury in impeachment trials
Select VP if Electoral College fails to do so

HOUSE of
REPRESENTATIVES
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Lower House
Based on state population
435 total
2-year terms
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Originate all spending ($$) bills
Serve as prosecution in impeachment trial
Select President if
Electoral College fails to do so

Judicial Branch
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The Court System
Supreme Court is highest in nation
Interpret the law
Exercise the power of judicial review
Chief Justice presides over trials of presidential impeachment

Power of Judicial Review
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Determine if laws passed by Congress are allowable by the Constitution
Determine if treaties negotiated by the
President and approved by the Senate are allowable by the Constitution
Determine if actions by the President in enforcing the law are allowable by the
Constitution
Determine if laws passed by states are allowable by the Constitution

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Important Documents
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Monroe Doctrine
Emancipation Proclamation
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Constitutional Amendments
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1st protects freedom of expression
4th,5th,6th,7th,8th protect rights of due process
13th,14th,15th
15th,19th,26th
Civil War amendments; protects slaves rights protects voting rights

Supreme Court Cases
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Marbury vs. Madison (1803)
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Dred Scott (1857)
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Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896)
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Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)
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Miranda vs. Arizona (1966)

Economic Terminology
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Inflation
Deflation
Profit
Monopoly
Laissez-faire
Capitalism
Socialism
Communism

Supply & Demand
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Interact to determine prices in a market economy
Demand = how much consumers are willing and able to buy at different prices
As prices INCREASE, demand DECREASES
Supply = how much producers are willing and able to sell at different prices
As prices INCREASE, supply INCREASES

Don’t forget the WIKI  http://plcsocialstudies.pbwiki.com