The Political System in the United States I. Background Information A. The peace treaty of 1783 recognized the independence of the United States and the former 13 British (1) ___________ became 13 states of the new nation. B. The Constitution The Constitution set up a federal system with a strong central government. The government consists of three branches. Each has powers that the others do not have and has a way of counteracting and limiting wrongful actions by another branch, which is known as (2) ______________ II. The Three Branches (Separation of Powers) A. The Legislative It's the only branch that can make federal laws, (3) ______________ federal taxes, declare war or put foreign treaties into effect. 1. Two Houses under the Congress a) The House of Representatives Two-year terms. The number of representatives of a state is determined by the population count taken every 10 years. b) The Senate Six-year terms. Each state, regardless of population, has two senators, which (4) ___________ that the smallest states have an equal voice in one of the houses of Congress. 2. The main duty of Congress — to make laws A law begins as a proposal called a "bill". It is read, studied in committees, commented on and amended in one (5) _____________ , and then voted upon. If it passes, it is sent to the other where a similar procedure occurs. When both houses of Congress pass a bill, it is sent to the president for his signature. B. The (6) __________________ 1. The chief representative — the president elected every four years to no more than two terms. 2. The vice president — to serve as the presiding officer of the Senate except for the right of (7) ______________ to the presidency. 3. The power of presidency: propose legislation to Congress; veto bills; appoint federal judges (All such court appointments are subject to (8) _________________ by the Senate.) C. The Judicial — headed by the Supreme Court The Congress has established 11 federal courts of (9) ___________________ and 91 federal district courts. The Supreme Court today consists of a chief justice and eight (10) ______________________ justices. III. The Two Major Parties A. the Democratic Party symbolized by the donkey B. the Republican Party symbolized by the elephant