The document summarizes the structure and branches of the US government from 1945-1989. It outlines that the government is composed of three branches: the executive branch headed by the President who enforces laws and conducts foreign affairs; the legislative branch consisting of the House of Representatives and Senate who make laws; and the judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court which interprets the Constitution. It also discusses the electoral college system for electing the President, the main political parties, and tensions between federal and state powers.

1. USA & the Wider World 1945-
1989
• Leaving Cert History

2. The government of the USA
• Federal government
•The Executive
•The Legislature
•The Judiciary

3. The Executive
• The President
• Runs the
Country
• Assisted by
Ministers
(Secretaries of
State)

4. • Enforcing the laws of the nation
• Acts as Commander-in-Chief of the US
Armed Forces
• Conducts foreign Affairs and negotiates
treaties
• Appoints government officials
• Elected by the electoral college
The President

5. • Harry S. Truman
• 1945-1953
Presidents since WW2

6. • Dwight D. Eisenhower
• 1953-1961
Presidents since WW2

7. • John F. Kennedy
• 1961-1963
Presidents since WW2

8. • Lyndon B. Johnson
• 1963-1969
Presidents since WW2

9. • Richard M. Nixon
• 1969-1974
Presidents since WW2

10. • Gerald Ford
• 1974-1977
Presidents since WW2

11. • Jimmy Carter
• 1977-1981
Presidents since WW2

12. • Ronald Reagan
• 1981-1989
Presidents since WW2

13. The electoral college
• Complicated system for electing US
President
• Voters in each state choose delegates for
an Electoral College. Based on
population size
• All delegates must vote for the candidate
who gets a majority in their state
• Possible that President can win without
having a majority.

14. Electoral college 2012

15. Legislature
• Lower House – House of Representatives
• 435 members – based on population
• California 53 members – Alaska 1
member
• Elected every two years
• Main responsibility – taxation and budget

16. Legislature
• Upper House – House of Senators
• 100 members – 2 from each state
• Elected every six years
• Main responsibility – Foreign Affairs
• Any new treaties must be passed by a 2/3
majority

17. Law-making Process
• Bill introduced and passed by both
Houses of Congress
• Signed into Law by President
• Checked by Supreme Court that it is
constitutional
• President can veto bill
• Congress overturn veto by 2/3 majority
vote

18. Supreme Court
• Interprets the Constitution
• Checks that Federal and State laws
comply with constitution
• Rulings can be changed by later ruling or
by amendment to Constitution
• Nine Judges – appointed for life
• Only removed by impeachment and
convicted by Senate.
• Very Powerful

19. Political Parties
• Republicans – pro-big-business on
economic issues and conservative on
social issues. Want as little government
interference as possible. Low public
spending – low taxation.
• Democrats – pro-big-business on
economic issues and liberal on social
issues. More willing for government
involvement in economic issues.

20. Federal V State
• Rights given to States to prevent Federal
Government becoming too powerful
• Individual States control business
legislation, transport, police, education.
Decides on whether or not to have the
death penalty.
• Shared responsibility – taxation, health
care, social welfare, natural resources.
FBI deals with crime in more than one
state.

21. Tensions - Federal V State
Civil War 1861-1865 – over the rights of
the Southern States
After WW2 Supreme Court declared state
laws that discriminated against black
Americans unconstitutional.
Eisenhower sent troops into Little Rock
Arkansas to enforce Supreme Court ruling
that ended segregation in education.

22. • Presentation prepared by:
• Dominic Haugh
• St. Particks Comprehensive School
• Shannon
• Co. Clare
• Presentation can be used for educational purposes only – all rights remain with author