Unit 4: Foundations of Unit 4: Foundations of Government in GeorgiaGovernment in Georgia

SS8CG1: The student will SS8CG1: The student will describe the role of citizens describe the role of citizens

under Georgia’s under Georgia’s constitution. constitution.

Georgia’s ConstitutionGeorgia’s Constitution GA was one of the original 13 GA was one of the original 13

colonies and became a state colonies and became a state after the American Revolution. after the American Revolution.

Georgia adopted its first Georgia adopted its first constitution in 1777. constitution in 1777.

In 1983, Georgians approved the In 1983, Georgians approved the state’s tenth constitution. state’s tenth constitution.

Georgia’s constitution states:Georgia’s constitution states: 1) Any power the government has 1) Any power the government has

is given to it by the citizens and is is given to it by the citizens and is for the good of everyone.for the good of everyone.

2) Georgia’s gov’t is meant to 2) Georgia’s gov’t is meant to serve people and the constitution serve people and the constitution allows the people to change the allows the people to change the gov’t when it fails to serve their gov’t when it fails to serve their needs.needs.

GA’s constitution continued:GA’s constitution continued: There are 11 articles in the 1983 There are 11 articles in the 1983

constitution. The first article constitution. The first article consists of a bill of rights, consists of a bill of rights, twenty-eight paragraphs that set twenty-eight paragraphs that set out the rights of Georgia citizens. out the rights of Georgia citizens.

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers The Georgia constitution, like the The Georgia constitution, like the

U.S. constitution, divides the U.S. constitution, divides the responsibilities of government responsibilities of government among the three branches in among the three branches in what is known as a what is known as a separation separation of powersof powers..

Separating government powers Separating government powers creates a “limited government.”creates a “limited government.”

3 Branches of Government3 Branches of Government

3 branches of gov’t continued:3 branches of gov’t continued: The The executive branchexecutive branch can veto bills can veto bills

passed by the legislative branch and can passed by the legislative branch and can call special sessions of the legislature. call special sessions of the legislature.

The The legislative branchlegislative branch can impeach can impeach officials in the executive or judicial officials in the executive or judicial branches. It can override a governor’s branches. It can override a governor’s veto of bills to make them into laws. It veto of bills to make them into laws. It can propose a constitutional change.can propose a constitutional change.

It must also confirm appointments made It must also confirm appointments made by the governor. by the governor.

3 branches continued…3 branches continued… The The judicial branchjudicial branch determines determines

whether or not laws are whether or not laws are constitutional. constitutional.

Each branch of government is Each branch of government is responsive to the citizens of responsive to the citizens of Georgia because most officials in Georgia because most officials in each branch are directly elected each branch are directly elected by the voters. by the voters.

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances Each branch of government was Each branch of government was

given some power to control or given some power to control or prevent some actions of the other prevent some actions of the other two branches. This process is two branches. This process is known as a system of known as a system of checks checks and balancesand balances. .

The checks and balances ensure The checks and balances ensure that no one branch becomes too that no one branch becomes too powerful.powerful.

Rights and Responsibilities of Rights and Responsibilities of CitizensCitizens

-Sovereignty--Sovereignty- the concept that power and authority rest with the citizens.

-Federalism-Federalism- a system where the national, state, and local governments share authority over the same land and the same people

The status of citizenshipThe status of citizenship If your parents are U.S. citizens or if If your parents are U.S. citizens or if

you were born in the United States, you were born in the United States, then you are a U.S. citizen.then you are a U.S. citizen.

You are entitled to all of the You are entitled to all of the protections and rights afforded by the protections and rights afforded by the federal and state constitutions. federal and state constitutions.

These rights include free speech, the These rights include free speech, the right to bear arms, freedom of right to bear arms, freedom of religion, and the right to a speedy and religion, and the right to a speedy and fair trial. fair trial.

The status of citizenship The status of citizenship continued…continued…

NaturalizedNaturalized citizens are foreign nationals (those who were born in other countries) who chose to become American citizens and give up their citizenship in those other countries.

The status of citizenship The status of citizenship continued…continued…

People who are People who are 18 years of age18 years of age

who have lived who have lived in this country for in this country for at least five at least five years,years,

and who entered and who entered the country the country legally can apply legally can apply for citizenshipfor citizenship

They must meet They must meet certain certain requirements- an requirements- an ability to read and ability to read and speak English; a speak English; a knowledge and knowledge and understanding of understanding of U.S. history; good U.S. history; good moral character; moral character; & a belief of the & a belief of the principles of the principles of the U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

Rights and Responsibilities of Rights and Responsibilities of CitizensCitizens

Voting, while a right, is also the Voting, while a right, is also the most basic responsibility of most basic responsibility of citizens, enabling them to citizens, enabling them to participate in government.participate in government.

Another responsibility of Another responsibility of citizens is to pay federal, state, citizens is to pay federal, state, and local taxes to fund the and local taxes to fund the services those governments services those governments provide. provide.

Rights and Responsibilities of Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens continued…Citizens continued…

Another responsibility is Another responsibility is upholding the laws of the nation.upholding the laws of the nation.

Also, defending the nation Also, defending the nation against its enemies. against its enemies.

(All young men are required to (All young men are required to register with the Selective register with the Selective Service Board when they turn Service Board when they turn eighteen).eighteen).

Voting QualificationsVoting Qualifications To register to vote in Georgia, a To register to vote in Georgia, a

person must be at least 18 person must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the years old and a citizen of the United States. United States.

An individual must also be a An individual must also be a legal resident of Georgia and legal resident of Georgia and the county in which he or she the county in which he or she registers. registers.

ElectionsElections A general election is held in A general election is held in

November in at least every November in at least every even-numbered year. This is even-numbered year. This is when major federal and state when major federal and state officials are selected. officials are selected.

Other elections are held as Other elections are held as needed to select public officials.needed to select public officials.

Elections continuedElections continued Voters select the most Voters select the most

important state officials. important state officials. These officials, in turn, These officials, in turn,

appoint others who work for appoint others who work for and with them. and with them.

Political PartiesPolitical Parties Political PartiesPolitical Parties are organized are organized

groups of people who share groups of people who share common ideals and who seek to common ideals and who seek to influence government policies influence government policies and decisions by electing and decisions by electing members of their party to members of their party to government offices. government offices.

Political Parties continued..Political Parties continued.. Today, America has Today, America has

two major political two major political parties:parties:

The The Republican Republican PartyParty and the and the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party

Members of these Members of these groups share groups share common beliefs common beliefs about government’s about government’s role in American liferole in American life

Political Parties continued..Political Parties continued.. People who are not members People who are not members

of these two major parties are of these two major parties are usually referred to as usually referred to as independentsindependents..

The General AssemblyThe General Assembly There are 180 members of the There are 180 members of the

house of representatives and 56 house of representatives and 56 members of the senate.members of the senate.

Members of the legislature are Members of the legislature are elected by popular vote to two-year elected by popular vote to two-year terms of office. terms of office.

There is no limit to the number of There is no limit to the number of terms a representative or senator terms a representative or senator can serve. can serve.

The General Assembly The General Assembly continued…continued…

Members of the Members of the SenateSenate must be: must be:

2525 years of age years of age Citizens of the U.S.Citizens of the U.S. Citizens of Georgia for Citizens of Georgia for

at least two yearsat least two years They must have been They must have been

legal residents of the legal residents of the district from which district from which they were elected for they were elected for at least one yearat least one year

Members of the Members of the HouseHouse must be:must be:

2121 years of age years of age Citizens of the U.S.Citizens of the U.S. Citizens of Georgia for Citizens of Georgia for

at least two years at least two years They must have been They must have been legal residents of the legal residents of the district from which district from which they were elected for they were elected for at least one yearat least one year

The General Assembly The General Assembly continued…continued…

The General Assembly is bicameral: The General Assembly is bicameral: (has two houses/chambers).(has two houses/chambers).

One is the house of representatives One is the house of representatives and the second is the senate.and the second is the senate.

The lieutenant governor presides The lieutenant governor presides over the senate. over the senate.

Members of the House elect a Members of the House elect a speaker.speaker.

Casey Cagle- GA’s Casey Cagle- GA’s lieutenant governorlieutenant governor

The lieutenant The lieutenant governor does governor does not have a vote not have a vote in the senate, in the senate, but the speaker but the speaker of the house of the house votes when it is votes when it is necessary to necessary to break a tie. break a tie.

Committee SystemCommittee System Members of the Georgia house Members of the Georgia house

and senate are organized into and senate are organized into committees. committees.

All bills must be reviewed by a All bills must be reviewed by a house or senate committee before house or senate committee before they can be brought to either the they can be brought to either the whole house or sent for a vote. whole house or sent for a vote.

Committee System Committee System continued..continued..

Some committees are Some committees are permanent, lasting from one permanent, lasting from one session to the next. They are session to the next. They are called called standing committees.standing committees.

Some of the standing committees Some of the standing committees include:include:

The Ways and Means CommitteeThe Ways and Means Committee which which handles bills involving taxeshandles bills involving taxes

The Appropriations CommitteeThe Appropriations Committee which which works on the budgetworks on the budget

The Judiciary CommitteeThe Judiciary Committee which deals which deals with bills concerning the state’s laws with bills concerning the state’s laws and court system. and court system.

(Other committees are organized for a (Other committees are organized for a special task and last only until their special task and last only until their work is complete).work is complete).