Understanding Our Government (2)

Understanding Our
Government

By: Jordan Spadafore, and AJ Knipe

Declaration of Independence

The purpose for the Declaration of Independence was for America to announce to Great Britain.
They wanted to separate from Britain because they were getting taxed unfairly. America had no
representation in parliament, (parliament is where they made taxes and laws) so Britain could make and
enforce any law they wanted to and America could do nothing but boycott the goods that were taxed and
protest. The authors of the Declaration were Thomas Jefferson and (probably) Timothy Matlack. They
created it from June 1776 to July 1776. It was ratified on July 4, 1776. They got 56 people to sign the
declaration.

Legislative Branch

The legislative branch was founded on March 4, 1789. The main office or Headquarters
is located in Washington, D.C.. There are two parts to the legislative branch, the United
States house of representatives, and the United States senate. Together these two
groups form the United States congress. The house of representatives has 435 elected
members members who do vote. They also have 6 non-voting members who represent
district of columbia and puerto rico. Members must be 25 years old, live in the United
States for 7 years, and live in the United States. They can impeach federal officials,
elect the president in case of electoral college tie, and initiate revenue bills. Senate has
100 members, 2 per state. They are elected for 6 year terms, and are elected by the
people of their state. To be able to be in the senate you have to be 30 years old, a U.S.
citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state you represent. The senate is supposed
to confirm the President's appointment that need consent, and to approve treaties.

Executive Branch

The executive branch was created in 1789. Executive is the authority and holding responsibility for the
governance of the state. Also the president of the united states is the head of the Executive branch.
Executive is also the branch of federal and state government that is broadly responsible for implementing,
supporting, and enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch.

Judicial Branch

The Judicial branch was created in 1787. For the executive and legislative branch the members are
elected by the people, while the members of the judicial branch are elected by the president and are then
approved by the senate. The judicial branch applies and interprets laws for each state. The judicial branch
is part of two courts, the supreme court and other federal courts. The supreme court is the highest court in
the U.S.. There are 9 members of the supreme court, they must be elected by the president and approved
by the senate. There has to be a minimum of 6 justices appointed to each case, and if it results in a tie,
the lower court's decision stands. Members of the supreme court serve the court for life.The other federal
courts are elected by congress. The purpose for the judicial branch is to interpret and apply the laws for
each and every one of the states.

Amendments

The bill of rights guarantees our rights to the first 10 amendments. The bill of rights
was written by James Madison. The bill of rights gives us certain rights to the
American citizens. It was created on September 25,1789. It was finally approved
on December 15, 1791.