Elections: Week One

Elections Curriculum : Week One

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. { Timothy 2 1-2}

Objective:

Become familiar with the definition of government.

Government:

The governing body of a nation, state, or community.

Develop an understanding of the basics of American government and elections.

The USA is governed by a constitutional federal republic.

Learn the history of political parties in America.

The history of the U.S. political parties began in 1789 when George Washington and the Independent political party focused on the establishment of the Constitution. The Federalists then emerged and their opponents the Anti-Federalists became the Democratic-Republicans. Next the National Republicans who became the Whig political party and finally the rise of the two party system of the Democrats and Republicans who dominate the modern politics of the United States of America today.  

Definition of Political Parties: United States Political parties are formed by groups or collections of people who share the same ideas, beliefs or views about the way the United States should be governed. The United States Political parties work to influence government policies and to introduce new laws to the Constitution and to make amendments to existing laws.

Study the structure of the levels of American government.

There are three branches of the government:
Executive: makes sure the constitution is being followed. The president is the head of this branch.
Legislative: this is congress, which includes the House of Representative (number depends on the population of  each state) and the Senate (100 people, 2 from each state) they make the laws.
Judicial: includes the Supreme Court (9 judges), which guards the constitution and makes sure the laws are  followed.

Investigate the history and content of the American Constitution

The Constitution of the United States of America is the fundamental law of the U.S. federal system of government and a landmark document.