The US Government

How does the American government work?

The USA is a democracy and a republic. Its government is defined by the constitution, which sets out how it should be run.

What role does the constitution play in the American government?

The constitution is a set of laws that define how America is run. It is seen as having the highest authority in any government.

How is the constitution amended in the American government?

The American constitution is designed to be difficult to amend. There are 2 main ways it can be done.

• ❖ Congress has to pass the amendment with a two-thirds majority in both houses. It then has to be approved by three quarters of all state legislatures.
• ❖ A constitutional convention can be called to draft an amendment if desired by two thirds of all states. This method has never been used.

What does unconstitutional mean in the American government?

Anything that breaks the laws of the constitution is said to be unconstitutional and can not legally exist.

What were the powers of the American government in 1918?

Law-making powers were shared between the federal (central) and state governments in 3 main ways:

• ❖ The federal government in Washington DC was responsible for foreign policy, war, trade between states and the currency.
• ❖ The state governments were responsible for education, marriage laws, trade within the state and local government.
• ❖ The federal and state governments shared control of law and order, the courts, taxes, banks, and public welfare.

How was the American government structured?

Power in the federal government was divided between 3 branches - the executive (president), legislature (Congress) and judiciary (courts).

• ❖ The president (executive) suggested laws, ran foreign policy and the army, and appointed government ministers.
• ❖ Congress (legislature) was split into two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. They passed laws, agreed taxes and endorsed the president's appointments of judges and ministers.
• ❖ The Supreme Court (the judiciary) interpreted laws and the constitution and was the highest court of appeal for people to question decisions by the government and courts.

What checks and balances are there in the American government?

The US government was arranged to make sure no single group could take over or have too much power over the others in 4 main ways:

• ❖ The president could veto laws by Congress, but Congress could override the veto with a two-thirds majority. Congress could also withhold taxes or stop the president from appointing judges or ministers.
• ❖ The president could appoint judges for the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court could stop the president's actions if it decided they were unconstitutional.
• ❖ Congress could override Supreme Court judgements by passing amendments to change the constitution, but the Supreme Court could say Congress's other laws were unconstitutional.
• ❖ Congress could remove a president from office due to acts of treason, bribery or another high crime; this is known as impeachment.

How can a president be impeached within the American government?

There are 4 key stages to impeach a president.

• ❖ Impeachment proceedings can begin if it is believed the president has committed treason, bribery or another high crime.
• ❖ First, Congress investigates the accusations.
• ❖ Then, the House of Representatives passes articles of impeachment.
• ❖ Finally, Congress puts the accused president on trial. If they vote by a two-thirds majority that the president is guilty, the president is removed from office.

Which political parties were there in the American government in 1918?

By 1918, there were 2 main political parties in America:

• ❖ The Republicans, who wanted businesses to succeed.
• ❖ The Democrats, who wanted a solution to America's social problems.

Who are the Republicans in American government?

In 1918, the Republicans wanted to see businesses succeed and believed the government should only play a small role in running the country.

Who are the Democrats in American government?

In 1918, the Democrats wanted the government to play a larger role in running America in order to solve the country's social problems.

How do state governments work within the American government?

Like the federal government, state governments were divided into executive, legislature and judicial branches.

• ❖ The executive branch was headed by a governor, elected by the people.
• ❖ The legislature usually had two houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives, to vote on laws and the state budget.
• ❖ The state judicial branch was led by the state Supreme Court.