USA Flashcards
Describe the separation of powers
There are 3 branches of the US Government: • Legislative • Executive • Judicial Each branch limits the powers of others.
Describe legislative
The legislative branch is made up of the senate and house of representatives known as the congress. They are responsible for making laws.
Describe executive
The executive branch is responsible for running the country. This includes President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Describe judicial
The judicial branch is in charge of the legal system. This includes the supreme court.
Describe the senate
The senate is made up of 100 senators (2 from each state).
Describe the house of representatives
The House of Representatives is made up of 465 congressmen/women.
Describe the constitution
The US Constitution is the highest law in the land.
The first 3 words of the constitution is “We The People” in big bold letters.
It protects people’s rights.
Gives them freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. (Religion is not political).
It gives them the right to bear arms. (Also not political).
The first 10 amendments of the constitution are called “The Bill of Rights”
Describe federalism
The US is a Federal State. This means that there are different layers of the Government.
In the US, the are 50 State Governments and 1 Federal Government. They both have different powers:
Federal Powers
State Powers
Describe the federal government
The Federal Government is headed by the President
They are in charge of the military
They decide on Foreign Policy
They can declare war
They are in charge of currency, postal services, FBI, and CIA.
Describe the state government
They are in charge of police, schools, and laws e.g. The Death Penalty and Marriage Laws.
Describe the president
The President is responsible for the day-to-day running of the USA.
They are in charge of the armed forces as Commander-in-Chief.
They represent the USA to the World.
The President is often known as the most powerful person in the World.
Describe rights in the Constitution
The Constitution has been amended many times.
The first 10 amendments of The Constitutions are known as The Bill of Rights. These are some of the rights that American citizens have.
Describe the bill of rights
On September 17, 1787, 39 of the 55 delegates signed the new document, with many of those who refused to sign objecting to the lack of a bill of rights. At least one delegate refused to sign because the Constitution codified and protected slavery and the slave trade.
A total of 27 states still carry out the death penalty, for example, California, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Describe the rights of voting
One right American citizens have is the right to vote. This means that U.S. citizens cannot be abridged on account of race, colour, previous condition of servitude, sex, or age (18 and older) as specifically stated in the 15th, 19th, and 26th amendment. For example, in November 2016, Americans turned out to vote. Donald Trump won the Electoral College vote; however Hilary Clinton won the popular vote by over 1 million votes.
Describe the responsibilities of voting
The responsibility to vote is to exercise their votes by voting in federal elections and serving on juries. By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens’ interests. For example, 66.8% of citizens voted in 2020 presidential election where Joe Biden was elected as President.
Describe the rights of bearing arms
Another right is that America citizens have the right to bear arms (own a gun). This means that people have the right to possess weapons (arms) for the preservation of life, liberty, and property. For example, in America, you can buy a gun in a supermarket like Walmart. However the expectation is that citizens use their guns responsibly for sport, self defence and not for committing crimes.
Describe the responsibilities of bearing arms
The responsibility is to not break the law using the gun. This means to only use the gun when it is necessary for self defence and not to endanger fellow citizens or the community. For example, not to carry out an attack like the Columbine High School Shooting in 1999 and the Las Vegas Shooting in 2017.
Describe the requirements of the president
In order to be president you must: • Be at least 35 years old • Be born in the USA • Have been living in the USA for the last 14 years • Have a 2nd in command (vice president)