Essential Questions: 1. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution. 2. Discuss the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. 3. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 4. Illustrate voting requirements and elections in Georgia. 5. Defend the role of political parties in government. SS8CG1 The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia s constitution Lesson One: Government by the People for the People 1. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution. 2. Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. 3. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 4. Explain voting requirements and elections in Georgia. 5. Explain the role of political parties in government.
In 1776, our Founding Fathers Created a Federal Government. Federal system divides or shares its power between states and federal government. Powers assigned to national government, called delegated powers, include coining money and regulating trade. Powers kept by states, called reserved powers, include creating local governments and holding elections. Taxing and enforcing laws are shared by federal and state governments
Granting citizens the right to vote and have their voice heard in government. With the development of the U.S. Constitution at the convention of 1787, one principle of the new government set up by our founding fathers was Popular Sovereignty. Popular Sovereignty is the concept that power and authority rest on the people. Another principle was federalism, a system where the national, state, and local governments share authority over the same land and the same people. How do elections allow people to change their government to fit their own attitudes and value?
Separation of Powers Purpose; balances the branches of government and keeps any one of them from growing too powerful. Legislative Branch Writes laws Confirms presidential appointments Approves treaties Grants money Declares war Executive Branch Proposes and administers laws Commands armed forces Appoints officials Conducts foreign policy Makes treaties Judicial Branch Interprets Constitution and other laws Reviews lowercourt decisions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0xngh1rmiu
Let s Review
The Georgia constitution, like the U.S. Constitution, divides the responsibilities of government among three branches in what is known as a separation of powers.
Georgia Constitution of 1787 In 1787, Georgia changed back to a bicameral government with division of powers. The New Constitution stated that All government originates with the people and is found on their will ONLY. This means that people give government its power and decisions are made for in the best interest of the people.
The Purpose of Georgia s Constitution is to: Ensure freedom, liberty, justice, peace, and happiness for all the citizens of Georgia.
Of the people means that all government authority comes from the people themselves By the people refers to the means by which the people control their government For the people announces that the government exists only for the good of all the people. Government Of, by, and for the people is a democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people, Spoken by Abraham Lincoln s in his Gettysburg Address
The Georgia constitution, like the U.S. Constitution, divides the responsibilities of government among three branches in what is known as a separation of powers. Separating government powers creates a limited government
There are three branches of government: Legislative, Judicial and Executive Each branch of government was given power to control or prevent some actions of the of the other two branches. This process is known as CHECKS AND BALANCES. This process makes sure that no one branch becomes too powerful.
In the United States we have a government of law Government of law means that the government s authority is limited by laws. These limits are set forth in the Federal and state constitutions and by the laws passed by legislative bodies. This idea is sometimes expressed by the terms limited government and due process of law.
A Government of Law In our government, officials can only do what the law specifically says they can do. Even if the majority of the people back them, and even if they are the highest officials in government, they may not operate outside the law. So we have a government that is both of the people, and of law. So Power comes from the people, but those powers are limited by law. of the people, by the people, and for the people, Spoken by Abraham Lincoln s in his Gettysburg Address