Community Explorers is all about taking a closer look at what is going on in our own community and how we can help to change it for the better. Small actions can make a BIG difference in people's lives. For example a simple smile, or being kind, volunteering your time. But sometimes we need to think BIGGER. Sometimes certain problems can best be solved through a part of the government. For this reason, it is important for us to understand how our government works.
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Political Scientists
Many Community Explores are called Political Scientists. They study how different political systems of government began, how they have changed, and how they are structured today. They compare and contrast the different systems of government, the ideologies behind them, and the direct effects they have on the people of that government. They also spend time examining current events or recent political decisions and try to explain why they happened. Finally, they gather information or data and analyze it to predict political, economic, and social trends.
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Questions THEY AskWhat does government do?
- Governments are supposed to keep us safe, promote the common good, and protect individual rights. What are the basic values and principles of American Democracy? - The Core Democratic Values are our nation's fundamental beliefs of our society which unite all Americans. What is the relationship of the U.S. to other nations? - Governmental organizations like The United Nations work to maintain international peace and security. What are the roles of the citizen in American democracy? - U.S. citizens elect representatives to make the laws. What are the effects of government involvement and decisions? - When new laws are passed, political scientists look at how the laws affect people's lives (positive and negative). |
The Purpose of Government
Governments are important for many reasons such as safety, promoting the common good, and protecting individual rights. They are created to help us avoid problems that can arise when people try to create a community. There would be many serious consequences if schools, communities, and our country tried to function without government and rules or laws. Still, while government is important, we don't want it to become too powerful. A government with absolute authority or all the power can become destructive and does not meet the intended purpose of government.
Governments are important because can they establish rules that protect the people.
Governments also act as a way to enforce the rules. Governments keep us safe, promote the common good, and protect individual rights. |
BUT governments should also not be too powerful.
Limiting the power of a government is important because it helps keep things fair and equal, it prevents one person or one group of people from having all the power, and promotes the common good. |
Setting up a NEW Government
A Brief Timeline of How the U.S. Government Started
1750s - King George III rules. Britain is in control of America and the colonists.
1773 - King George III made lots of laws that the colonists didn’t like. They protested. For example, the Boston Tea Party was a protests against the Tea Acts. 1775 - The colonists fight in the Revolutionary War against the British and WIN! America signs the Declaration of Independence in 1776. late 1770s - The founding fathers needed to set up a new government and quickly. They came up with the Articles of Confederation – but it gave government too much power. 1780s - The founding fathers began meeting to try to figure out how to change the government so it worked better. They started to write a new constitution. |
After declaring independence from Britain, the founding fathers had to create a new government for America. It wasn't easy and it took a lot of discussion and compromise. But when they were done they had created the Constitution. It is the same document that we still use today to govern our communities.
Click HERE to watch Liberty's Kids! |
LET'S TRY IT!
Writing the Constitution - "Constitutional Compromise"
Can you to find a way forward for a young nation as disagreements mount? Engage in the ideas discussed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and discover how compromises you build today compare to those made by the 55 delegates. In this game, you will hear from delegates as they cast their vision for the future of the United States and weigh the options. Balance the interests of a diverse set of states, navigate the interests of delegates who envision vastly different roles of the new government, and process the difficult decisions addressing the institution of slavery in the states. Not all compromises are (or were) the ideal outcomes. While based on real debates and historical arguments, this game should not be considered a historical reenactment. In the end, you can discover what really happened in Philadelphia. |
Writing the Constitution - "Race to Ratify"
Race to Ratify drops you into 1787, where the ink is still drying on the new Constitution. Will it become the law of the land or will it fall into the dustbin of history? The fate of the young nation is in your hands! Dive deep into the heated national debate over the future of a radical new plan for American government. Travel across the 13 states to hear from a diverse and opinionated cast of characters and use what you have learned to influence others through the social media of the time...pamphlets. Can you be a ratification influencer? |
CORE DEMOCRATIC VALUES
Liberty: Liberty includes the freedom to believe what you want, freedom to choose your own friends, and to have your own ideas and opinions, to express your ideas in public, the right for people to meet in groups, the right to have any lawful job.
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The Preamble
THE PREAMBLE
“We the People of the United States of America, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” |
The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution.
It identifies the values and beliefs that our country was founded on. It explains the intended purpose of our U.S. Government. |
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What the Preamble SAYS...
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What the Preamble MEANS...
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We the People of the United States of America,
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All the people who live in our country.
(Moms, Dads, Grandmas, Brothers, Sisters, Neighbors, etc.) |
in Order to form a more perfect Union
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We want to come together and make things better for everyone.
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establish Justice
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Make things fair and even for everyone.
(jails, courts, juries, laws) |
insure domestic Tranquility
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We want to have a nice and peaceful life where we all get along with one another.
(public parks, road signs, peaceful protests, airport security) |
provide for the common defense,
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We want to be protected from other people or countries that could hurt us.
(air force, navy, army, military, marines) |
promote the general Welfare,
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We want everyone to have enough to eat, a place to live, be safe, have friends and have fun.
(National Laboratories, Veterans, Wildlife Refuge, Post Office) |
and secure the Blessings of Liberty
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We want to protect our rights and freedoms.
(freedom of religion, the press, of speech, right to assemble) |
to ourselves and our Posterity
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We want this for us and our kids, and our grand-kids.
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do ordain and establish this Constitution
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We write all this down so that everyone knows the rules. We all promise to follow the rules.
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for the United States of America.
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For our country... where we live!
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Article 1: The Legislative Branch
Powers and Responsibilities of the Legislative Branch
Draft and Pass Legislation
They can make bills that could become new laws if approved by both houses.
Power of the Purse
They can authorize the borrowing of money from other countries. They can decide how much money is needed (taxes) and decide how that money is spent (budget).
Impeach President or Justices
They can impeach or charge an official with misconduct. Once impeached, they can run a trial where they vote to determine a conviction (a guilty verdict).
Declaration of War / Raise a Military
They can vote for the U.S. to enter a war. They can also enact a draft (require certain individuals that qualify to become part of the country’s military forces).
Approve / Reject Appointments
They can vote to approve/reject any cabinet member chosen by the President. They can also vote to approve/reject any Supreme Court Justice appointed by the President of the United States.
Overturn Presidential Vetoes
They can overturn a President’s veto. 2/3 must vote in favor of overturning the President’s veto for this to happen.
They can make bills that could become new laws if approved by both houses.
Power of the Purse
They can authorize the borrowing of money from other countries. They can decide how much money is needed (taxes) and decide how that money is spent (budget).
Impeach President or Justices
They can impeach or charge an official with misconduct. Once impeached, they can run a trial where they vote to determine a conviction (a guilty verdict).
Declaration of War / Raise a Military
They can vote for the U.S. to enter a war. They can also enact a draft (require certain individuals that qualify to become part of the country’s military forces).
Approve / Reject Appointments
They can vote to approve/reject any cabinet member chosen by the President. They can also vote to approve/reject any Supreme Court Justice appointed by the President of the United States.
Overturn Presidential Vetoes
They can overturn a President’s veto. 2/3 must vote in favor of overturning the President’s veto for this to happen.
Let's TRY IT!Article 1 - The Legislative Branch - "LawCraft"
Are you ready to learn how laws are made? In LawCraft, select a district to represent in the House of Representatives. You'll then review letters from constituents, dig into survey data, and select an issue that's important to you and the people that live in your district. You'll then take that issue to the House and start crafting your bill as you jump into the law-making process. See if you can make the compromises necessary to get your bill passed by the House and Senate and still make a law you're proud of. And remember, your constituents are watching! |
Article 2: The Executive Branch
POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Executive BRANCH
Approves or Vetoes Bills
Once a bill has been approved by the majority of both houses (more than 50%), they can either sign the bill into law (approve it) or veto the bill (deny it).
Directs the Military
They are known as the Commander in Chief and can make military decisions EXCEPT they cannot declare war.
Makes Foreign Policy
They can work with leaders of different countries and can negotiate to make trade agreements, deals, and treaties.
Enforce the Laws
In partnership with different agencies, they can ensure that all the laws are being followed throughout the country.
Appoints Cabinet Members
They can appoint people to lead various departments that run different parts of the government.
Issues Pardons
They can free any person from punishment for a federal crime.
Once a bill has been approved by the majority of both houses (more than 50%), they can either sign the bill into law (approve it) or veto the bill (deny it).
Directs the Military
They are known as the Commander in Chief and can make military decisions EXCEPT they cannot declare war.
Makes Foreign Policy
They can work with leaders of different countries and can negotiate to make trade agreements, deals, and treaties.
Enforce the Laws
In partnership with different agencies, they can ensure that all the laws are being followed throughout the country.
Appoints Cabinet Members
They can appoint people to lead various departments that run different parts of the government.
Issues Pardons
They can free any person from punishment for a federal crime.
Let's Try It!Article 2 - The Executive Branch - "Executive Command"
Ever wanted to be President for a day? In Executive Command, you can be President for four years! Try to accomplish what you set as your agenda while facing the challenges and responsibilities that crop up along the way. Being commander-in-chief and chief executive is no easy job! See how you do! |
Article 3: The Judicial Branch
POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE Judicial BRANCH
Interprets the Law
They can have final say over what the Constitution means and how it is applied to new laws and in different situations.
Decides if Laws are Constitutional
They can have the final say on whether a law follows the Constitution. This only happens when a law is challenged.
Decides Court Cases
They can have the final say on any case in the U.S. if it is appealed all the way through all the lower courts and if they choose to hear it. They will use the Constitution to guide their final decision.
Settles Cases Between States
There are situations between states that must be settled federally. They get to made the final decision in these cases.
Overturn Executive Orders
They can overturn an executive order, or a rule made by the President. If the order is challenged and it does not follow the Constitution, they can declare it unconstitutional, and the rule is reversed.
Sets Precedence for Other Cases
Once they make a ruling, all other federal courts must follow the same decision in similar cases or law related situations.
They can have final say over what the Constitution means and how it is applied to new laws and in different situations.
Decides if Laws are Constitutional
They can have the final say on whether a law follows the Constitution. This only happens when a law is challenged.
Decides Court Cases
They can have the final say on any case in the U.S. if it is appealed all the way through all the lower courts and if they choose to hear it. They will use the Constitution to guide their final decision.
Settles Cases Between States
There are situations between states that must be settled federally. They get to made the final decision in these cases.
Overturn Executive Orders
They can overturn an executive order, or a rule made by the President. If the order is challenged and it does not follow the Constitution, they can declare it unconstitutional, and the rule is reversed.
Sets Precedence for Other Cases
Once they make a ruling, all other federal courts must follow the same decision in similar cases or law related situations.
ARTICLE 1-3: Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances - The way in which the different branches of government keep each other from having too much power. Each branch of government has powers that keep the other branch in check - or keeps them from having too much power.
Let's Try It!
Articles 1-3 - The 3 Branches of Government - "Branches of Power"
Do you like running things? Do something that no one else can: control all three branches of the U.S. government. Our new Branches of Power gives you the ability to introduce presidential agendas, write legislation, sign or veto bills, and even judge passed laws. That’s a lot to juggle, so don’t let all the power go to your head! In Branches of Power you:
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ARTICLE 4: Levels of Government
LOcal GovernmentThe government of a city
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STATE GovernmentThe government of a state
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FEDERAL GovernmentThe government of a country
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Let's Try It!
Article 4 - Levels of Government - "Counties Work"
Do you want to try your hand at running your own county government? In Counties Work, you can! You will need to stay on top of resident requests as you develop the local community, make important budgeting decisions, and solve crises that pop-up along the way. In Counties Work, you will:
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The first 10 Amendments: The Bill of Rights
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. The First Amendment provides several rights protections: to express ideas through speech and the press, to assemble or gather with a group to protest or for other reasons, and to ask the government to fix problems. It also protects the right to religious beliefs and practices. It prevents the government from creating or favoring a religion. |
Protects people from being held for a crime, unless accused, double jeopardy, or self-incrimination. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury. A person cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) or have property taken away without just compensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law or fair trials. |
The right to a fair and speedy trial. The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or her own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer. |
Let's Try It!
The First 10 Amendments - The Bill of Rights - "Do I Have a Right?"
In Do I Have a Right? you can run your own firm of lawyers who specialize in constitutional law. Decide if potential clients have a right, match them with the best lawyer, and win their case. The more clients you serve and the more cases you win, the faster your law firm grows! |
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