United States Government

American Government

"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits."

~Thomas Jefferson

LAWS

We have laws because without laws the world would be chaos. People would be able to do whatever they wanted to.  That is why the founding fathers of our country came up with the Constitution including the Bill of Rights and the twenty-six amendments. All of them consist of laws. Most of the laws are obeyed. When they are not, the person breaking the law is punished.  Sometimes laws seem unfair and need to be changed. The government is constantly changing and making new laws.

Democracy

Democracy is the type of governmnet the United States practices. This means we are able to vote and elect our leaders. Our leaders may be from various democratic parties including Rebuplican, Democrat, Independent, or Tea Party. Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.

Visit the web site to learn more about Political Parties for Kids

The United States Declaration,   Constitution & Bill of Rights.

The U.S. Constitution is a written document created to organize the roles and responsibilitities of our governmnet. The Constitutuion helps keep all citizens safe. 

Click here to view copies of the Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights and to learn more about the Founding Fathers

Our Government is organized into 3 seperate branches:

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial 

 The branches were created to divide the powers of the governmnet so that a single branch does not become too powerful. Each has its own responsibilities and at the same time they work together to make the country run smoothly, and to assure that the rights of citizens are not ignored. A branch may use its powers to check the powers of the other two in order to maintain a balance of power among the three branches of government.

Click here to learn more about the 3 Branches 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Legislative Branch of the United States Government is made up of Congress. Congress is divided into two separate parts, they are the Senate and House of Representatives. The main job of the Legislative Branch is to write bills that may eventually become laws. Additional responsibilities include printing and creating coin money, collecting taxes from individuals and businesses, and to supply and aid the Armed Forces, and declare war. There are two separate leaders of Congress. The Vice President leads the Senate, and the Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives.  Both groups meet in the Capitol building located in Washington, D.C.

Click to learn more about House of Representatives & the Senate

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The President of the United States of America is the head of Executive Branch.  The president is also called the chief executive.  The vice president is also part of the executive branch.  The cabinet is made up of department heads of the government. 

 Click below to visit some fun websites!

 Inside the White House

How to Become the President

JUDICIAL BRANCH

The main purpose of the Judicial Branch is to make sure that laws are fair and constitutional. The Judicial system includes the Supreme Court and the Justices. The leader of the Supreme Court is called the Chief Justice. All the courts were made by the Constitution.