The Evolving United States Government

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Like nature, the United States government has evolved to meet the demands of an ever growing population, the increasing terrorist threat, and a new state of mind in terms of what government should look like. Each branch of the federal system plays a key role in controlling the populace. The Executive branch handles day-to-day maintenance of the federal government, makes sure laws are enforced and carried out, as well as represents the U.S. to foreign interests. The Legislative branch passes laws and allocates funds for use in running the federal government and providing assistance to the states. The Judicial branch hears cases that involve disputes between interpretations of the laws or those that challenge them. A delicate balance exists between the branches with one having the power to overrule another. How has the government grown, and what is behind its growth? How has this growth effected foreign relations, as well as, home front issues? First, what is behind the growth of the government? Progressiveness is the main pushing force of government change. People are now able to vote for public officials. Passing building codes, zoning ordinances, and public funding for schools soon became the responsibility of the federal government. Because of the added responsibility, the government expanded its power to compensate by adding new laws. Conservation was a major responsibility added, which later resulted in national parks, such as, Yosemite National Park existing today. This was set up by Theodore Roosevelt with his National Monument Act of 1906. The main change was direct support of the American people. John F. Kennedy thought up new federal assistant programs, but due to Kennedy’s assassination Lyndon B. Johnson t... ... middle of paper ... ...rings of desegregation cases. And the legislative branch gaining more control of the federal budget. Works Cited "American President: Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)." American President: Theodore Roosevelt: A Life in Brief. University Of Virginia, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. "The Evolution of the Presidency." American Government. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. "The Powers of Congress." American Government. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. "War and International Law." Constitutional Rights Foundation. Constitutional Rights Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. Yoo, John. "The Emancipation Proclamation's Unforgettable Lesson about Presidential Power." The Emancipation Proclamation's Unforgettable Lesson about Presidential Power. American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 2 Jan. 2013. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.

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