3. A Representative Democracy
• The United States has
established a representative
democracy—people rule
through elected
representatives.
– Government is based off
democratic styles of Ancient
Greece and Rome.
• Power is divided among the
national(federal) and state
governments.
4. The Branches of Government
• The U.S. Constitution
established a government
that is broken down into
three separate branches:
– executive branch headed
by president, carries out
laws
– legislative branch makes
laws
– judicial branch interprets
laws, reviews lower court
decisions
5.
6. How does this system help
our government maintain
balance?
8. • U.S. is rich in natural resources
• fertile soils
• water supply
• vast forests
• large deposits of many minerals
9.
10. Waterways
• Because U.S. is bound by water, they have
important shipping and fishing industries
• Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico
11. Waterways
• Many large lakes and rivers in the United
States make shipping and trade much
easier.
12. Farming and Agriculture
• The United States is the world’s leading
producer of food as well as the largest food
exporter
– very fertile soil, in plains region and river valleys
• This fertile region is known as “America’s
Breadbasket”
13.
14. • Due to fertile soil, early farm
mechanization, U.S. accounts for:
– 40% of world’s corn; 20% of cotton; 10% of
wheat, cattle, hogs
• Crop farming in Midwest, South; livestock
ranching in West
15. Woodlands
• 1/3 of U.S. covered by woodlands
• U.S. and Canada major producers of
lumber
16.
17.
18. Natural Resources
• U.S. is rich in natural minerals and fossil fuels
• gold
• silver
• copper
• coal
• oil
• etc.
21. Economy
• The United States has the
world’s largest and most
diversified economy.
• American products and popular
culture are recognized around
the world.
22. Success
• World’s largest economy: agricultural,
manufacturing, trade leader
• U.S. accounts for more than 10% of world’s
exports
• exports—goods sold to another country
• Success is due to resources, skilled labor,
stable political system
23. Capitalism
• Much of the success is due
to the economic system.
• The United States economy
is based on the capitalist
free market system.
• In this system, most
businesses are privately
owned and operated with
limited government control.
– In most cases, there is no limit
to success or profits.
24. What are some possible
problems with the Free
Market system?
25. Problems with Free Market
• Monopolies? Unfair for
competition?
– Wal Mart, Microsoft,
Apple
• Price Gouging?
– Gas, Technology
32. Industrial Centers
• bodies of water can be used for
transporting goods
• may also serve as a source of power
33. • US is largest consumer of energy. Need
for these fuels is very great.
34. Free Enterprise
• Free enterprise (free market) economy:
– privately owned resources, technology,
businesses
– businesses operate for profit with little
governmental control
35. Service Industries
• almost 75% of Americans today work in the
service industry
• service industry – any kind of economic activity that
produces a service rather than a product
