Many of the people carry on lumbering, fishing, dairying, and commerce.

The Southern States are grouped around the Gulf of Mexico and near the Atlantic Ocean.

This is the land of cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, and fruits.

Most of the people live on large farms. The most important crop is cotton.

The Central States lie in the most fertile farming district. Many kinds of crops are raised here. The most important are grains and vegetables.

The Western States are in the western part. This is one of the most beautiful parts of our country.

Here are the great forests. Here are the great cattle ranches. Here are the fruitful orchards of Oregon and California. Here are the mines of copper and silver in Colorado and Arizona.

Truly the United States is a country with many resources. There is an opportunity for everyone who wishes to make his home in this land.

PART THREE

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRACY

LESSON 1

OUR CONSTITUTION

Before the Revolution this country was made up of thirteen colonies. When the Revolution against England began these colonies sent men to represent them in a body called the Congress.

This Congress was to govern the thirteen states as one nation in order that all might fight together for freedom.

During the war all went well. The states were united because they had the same enemy.

But after the war they were united no longer. Each state elected its own officers and made its own laws. It was not compelled to pay taxes for the support of the nation. The states often disobeyed the laws of Congress.

So the United States were not really united at all. George Washington said, "We are one nation to-day and thirteen to-morrow."

Allowing the states so much power brought about many bad results. Many things were needed which no state could do well alone.

The United States had borrowed money to pay the expenses of the Revolution.

There was no way of raising money to pay the interest on this debt. Each state could pay its share or could refuse. It could not be compelled to pay.

Each state coined its own money. This meant that many kinds of money were in use at one time.

There was no way to care for commerce and trade among the states. There was no way to pay the expenses of an army and navy to defend the new nation.

This state of affairs went on for six years after the Revolution. By that time it became plain to many people that a stronger national government was necessary if the United States was to remain one of the family of nations.

In 1787 a number of men sent from each of the states met at Philadelphia for the purpose of forming a better government.

They prepared a law which provided for a new form of government for the nation. It was to be the highest law of the nation. They called it the Constitution. The states agreed to accept it as the highest law of the land.

Since that time the nation has grown to be several times the size it was then. The states have increased in number to forty-eight.

But the Constitution with a few changes is still binding upon the nation. It is the supreme law of the land.

LESSON 2

THE POWERS OF THE STATES AND THE POWERS OF THE NATION

The United States is a great nation made up of many states.

This is a convenient plan.

The state can control more easily and quickly the schools, or the building of roads and bridges.

Therefore such matters are left to the states.

It is more convenient for the people of the nation to have one kind of money. It is more convenient for the people of the nation to have the mail controlled by the nation.

Therefore the power over such matters is given to the nation.

The Constitution tells of the powers given to both states and nation.

The powers of the nation are stated in Section 8

of the Constitution.

are:

The more important ones

Regulating (or making rules for) commerce among the states.

Making rules for commerce with other nations.
Borrowing money for the nation.

Coining money.

Defending the nation with an army and navy.
Providing for the carrying of the mail.

The states have all powers which are not:
1. Given to the national government alone.
2. Forbidden by the Constitution.

LESSON 3

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT · ·

How the Nation is Governed

The government of our nation is called the "national" or "federal" government.

Our "federal" government is divided by the Constitution into three parts or branches :

1. Congress is the legislative branch, which makes the laws.

2. The President is the chief executive, who carries out the laws.