Answer: the executive branch
Explanation: The Constitution gives the Senate the power to approve, by a two-thirds vote, treaties negotiated by the executive branch. The Senate does not ratify treaties.
Answer: Yes, I do believe that their relationship has been affected by the Civil war. The reason being as how Helen's father, Captain, is so used to indulging Helen's inappropriate behavior, that when Annie challenges him by correcting Helen's behavior, he feels under-minded. He is, after all, the one used to giving orders. Especially since he, himself, was/is in the army.
It would be primarily in a "socialist" economic system that the government controls the businesses that affect most citizens, such as railroads and electrical power, since wealth in this system is largely "redistributed" through the federal system.
He was ,he was just very smart