Our GovernmentStudy Guide

VocabularyElection- the process in which a citizen votes for people to represent themTax- money paid to the governmentCouncil- a group of people elected to make rules and solve problemsMayor- a person who heads the government or communityCounty- an area of the state or country that includes several communitiesCapitol- the building where leaders of the state meet to make lawsGovernor- the head of the state whose main job is to carry out state lawsLegislative Branch- branch of the government that makes laws (Congress)Executive Branch- branch of the government that signs laws ( President)Judicial Branch- branch of the government that enforces laws (Supreme Court)Separation of Powers- power divided between the 3 branches of governmentMonument- a building or statue that helps people remember a person or eventDirect Democracy- a system in which all citizens meet together to govern themselvesRepresentative Democracy- a system in which citizens elect leaders to represent them in government

There are 3 different levels of the government:-Local-State

-National

Marsh

Local Government What do they do?

The local government makes laws and provides services you use every day.

- ex.) Bike riders must wear helmets Taxes are collected on land, houses, and things we buy to pay for may things in our community. - Local taxes help pay for schools, police and fire protection and library services

How do they get their leaders?The citizens in a community vote for people to represent them.The leader of a local government is a MAYOR

County Government

-Citizens vote for sheriffs and commissioners-Commissioners run county government

3 Branches of

Local Government

1. City council - group of officials who make rules or laws

2. Mayor - works with

the council to make

decisions

3. Courts - decides if a law has been broken

Mayor of Springfield

Jeff Ambrose

State GovernmentWhat is a state government?

Citizens elect people to lead their state government

-That person is called the governorThose leaders work in the state capitol.

-Our state capital is in Atlanta Georgia.

State Government Taxes and Services

TaxesState government collects taxes too.Tax money is used to pay for new state roads, schools, and hospitals.

ServicesDepartments that make sure our land and water are cleanDepartments that hire police officers Departments that pick what we learn in school!!!

3 Branches of the State Government

1. Lawmakers- make laws Senate and House of Representatives

2. Governor- signs laws, carries out laws A governor can Veto a law- this means stop it.

3. Judges- make sure state laws follow the state and national constitutions

Also decided punishment when laws are broken

Governor of Georgia

Nathan Deal

National Government•National government leaders meet and work in Washington, D.C.•The nation’s government is made up of 3 branches. •The main role of the national government is to protect citizens’ rights.

3 Branches of the National Government

*Each branch of the government has a job to do*

1. Legislative Branch- also known as CongressCongress is divided into two parts

oSenateo House of Representatives

Their job is to MAKE LAWS!

2. Executive Branch- CARRIES OUT LAWSThe president is the head of this branchHe either approves or rejects laws made by Congress.

3. Judicial Branch- DECIDES WHAT THE LAW MEANS and if the law obeys the Constitution.

The head of this branch is the Supreme Court

Barack Obama44th

United States President

United States Supreme Court

Judges

Government Buildings

Many United States government buildings were made to look like building from Athens, Greece.

They did this because Athens was home to the first DEMOCRACY! This means they voted for their leaders like we do.

Things we copied from ancient Athens:oColumnsoCarvingsoMarble steps

National Monuments

Supreme Court BuildingThe

Parthenon

Washington Monument -550 ft tall.

Lincoln Monument

Two Kinds of Democracy

Direct Democracy- citizens vote directly for leaders and on issues.oCitizens in Athens had a direct democracy

Representative Democracy- citizens choose other citizens to represent them.

oThe United states is a representative democracy

Brace Map of the Levels and Branches

of Government