Government Chapter Notes | Social Studies for Grade 4 PDF Download

Introduction

Government is the system that helps run a country, state, or community. It makes rules, keeps people safe, and provides services like schools and roads. In the United States, there are different levels of government that work together to make sure everything runs smoothly. This chapter will teach you about local, state, and federal governments, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, checks and balances, and how presidential elections work.

Local Government

Local government takes care of a small area like a city, town, or county.

• It makes rules called laws for things like keeping streets clean and safe.
• The leader of a city is usually called a mayor.
• A group called a city council or town board helps make decisions.
• Local government provides services like police, fire departments, and garbage collection.
• It also runs public schools, libraries, and parks in the community.
• People in the community vote to choose their mayor and council members.
• Local taxes, like property taxes, help pay for these services.
• Local government listens to people’s needs, like fixing roads or building playgrounds.
• It works closely with people because it is the closest level of government to them.

State Government

State government takes care of an entire state, like California or Texas.

• Each state has its own governor, who is the leader of the state.
• The state legislature makes laws for the whole state.
• The legislature has two parts in most states: a Senate and a House of Representatives.
• State government decides rules for things like schools, roads, and state parks.
• It also runs state police and helps with hospitals and colleges.
• People vote to choose their governor and state legislators.
• State taxes, like sales tax, help pay for state services.
• Each state has its own constitution that guides its laws.
• State government works with local and federal governments to help people.

Federal Government

The federal government takes care of the whole United States.

• It is led by the President, who lives in the White House in Washington, D.C.
• The federal government has three parts: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• The legislative branch, called Congress, makes laws for the country.
• Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• The executive branch, led by the President, makes sure laws are followed.
• The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, decides if laws are fair.
• The federal government handles big things like the military, trade with other countries, and national parks.
• People pay federal taxes, like income tax, to support these services.
• The federal government works with states to keep the country strong and safe.

The Constitution

The Constitution is the most important set of rules for the United States.

• It was written in 1787 by leaders called the Founding Fathers.
• It explains how the government works and what it can do.
• The Constitution created the three branches of the federal government.
• It says the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws.
• It protects the rights of all Americans, like freedom to speak and worship.
• The Constitution can be changed by adding amendments, but this is very hard to do.
• It gives some powers to the federal government and some to the states.
• The Constitution is kept safe in Washington, D.C., for everyone to see.
• It is called a “living document” because it still guides the country today.

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution. It was added in 1791 to protect people’s freedoms.

• The First Amendment gives freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
• The Second Amendment says people can have weapons for protection.
• The Third Amendment says soldiers cannot stay in people’s homes without permission.
• The Fourth Amendment protects people from unfair searches by the government.
• The Fifth Amendment says people cannot be punished without a fair trial.
• The Sixth Amendment gives people the right to a quick trial with a lawyer.
• The Seventh Amendment gives the right to a jury in some court cases.
• The Eighth Amendment says punishments cannot be too harsh.
• The Ninth Amendment says people have other rights not listed in the Constitution.
• The Tenth Amendment says powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or people.

Checks and Balances

Checks and balances is a system to keep the government fair.

• It makes sure no branch of the federal government gets too powerful.
  • The legislative branch (Congress) can make laws, but the President can veto them.
  • The President can choose judges, but Congress must approve them.
  • The judicial branch (Supreme Court) can say a law is not allowed if it breaks the Constitution.
• Congress can override a President’s veto with a big vote.
• The President enforces laws, but Congress controls the money for them.
• The Supreme Court judges serve for life, so they can make fair decisions without pressure.
• This system helps all three branches work together and stay balanced.
• It protects the country from any one part of the government taking too much control.

Presidential Elections

Presidential elections happen every four years in the United States.

• People vote to choose the President and Vice President.
• The President must be at least 35 years old, born in the U.S., and have lived here for 14 years.
• People vote in November, and the new President starts work in January.
• Each state has a group called the Electoral College that helps pick the President.
• The number of electors in each state depends on how many people it has in Congress.
• Each elector casts a vote for the President after people vote.
• A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the election.
• Before the election, candidates campaign to tell people their ideas.
• People can only vote for a President who will serve for up to two terms (eight years).