The American political system

• how does the American government work?


  It’s a democracy and a republic, which is defined by the constitution, which sets out how it should be run
• How can the US Constitution be amended?

  • Congress, passing the amendment with the 2/3 majority in both houses and then approved by 3/4 of all state legislatures
  • if desired by 2/3 of the states a convention can be called to draft an Amendment - never used
• What does unconstitutional mean?


  Not in accordance with the constitution.
• how where lawmaking powers shared between the federal and state governments in 1918?


  • Federal government was responsible for foreign policy, war, trade and currency
  • State governments were responsible for education, marriage, laws, and trade
  • Federal and state governments should control of law and order, Coatse, taxes, banks and public welfare
• What are the three Branches of the government?

  Executive, Legislative, Judicial
• what were the checks and balances in the American government?


  • President can veto laws, but Congress could override the veto, as well as withhold taxes or prevent the president from appointing, judges, or ministers
  • President could appoint judges for Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court could stop the presidents actions if unconstitutional
  • Congress can override Supreme Court and vice versa
  • Congrats, could remove the present (impeachment)
• which political parties were there in the American government in 1918?


  Democratic and Republican
• what did the Republicans want?

  Businesses to succeed and that the government should only play small role in running the country
• What did the Democrats want?

  A solution to Americas social problems as well as the government playing a large role in running America
• How did state governments work?

  • Executive branch headed by a governor
  • a Senate and House of Representatives funded by the state budget
  • Judicial branch led by the state Supreme Court