Three Branches of Government The Constitution The US

Three Branches of Government

The Constitution • The US Constitution created three branches of government for the people. • These branches are: – The Legislative Branch – The Executive Branch – The Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch • The legislative branch of government was created by Article I of the Constitution. • The main purpose of the legislative branch is to make and pass laws. • The legislative branch is made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate. • These two combined are known as Congress.

House of Representatives and Senate • Each state has 2 senators • Term = 2 years • Each state has a different • Terms = 6 years number of representatives, • The Senate can… depending on their state’s – Vote on any treaties the population President makes – Review and approve • The Ho. R can. . – Recommend tax bills to become law – Decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if s/he commits a crime against the country Presidential appointees, such as Cabinet Secretaries and Supreme Court justices – Hold a trial for a government official who does something wrong

Legislative Continued • The founders of the Constitution expected the Legislative Branch to be the most important branch of government, but feared if its power wasn’t clearly defined it could endanger liberty. So the Legislative branch was given expressed powers. • Expressed Powers- Powers directly stated in the Constitution.

Legislative Continued • Enumerated Powers- The powers listed in Article I Section 8 are called enumerated powers, because they are numbered 1 -18. • One of these enumerated powers is called the elastic clause. • Elastic Clause- gives Congress the right to make any laws they seem necessary to carry out its other powers. – Allows Congress to stretch its power to meet new situations the founders couldn’t anticipate.

The Executive Branch • The executive branch of government was created by Article II of the Constitution • The executive branch is in charge of making sure the law is put into practice and executed properly.

President • The president is the head of the executive branch. • The Constitution grants the president broad and vague powers. The President’s duties are to: – Enforce federal laws and recommend new ones – Serve as commander in chief of the Armed Forces – Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines – Meet with leaders of other countries

The President’s Cabinet • Carrying out the laws of the United States is a big job! • To help, the President has a Vice President and department heads who advise the President on issues and help carry out policies. • The Vice President serves as President of the Senate and becomes President if the President can no longer do the job. • Leaders in each department are called Secretaries. These Secretaries make up the President’s Cabinet.

The Judicial Branch • The judicial branch of government is made up of the court system. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It was established by the Constitution. Other federal courts were established by Congress. • Courts decide arguments about: • The meaning of laws • How laws are applied • Whether laws break the rules of the Constitution

Supreme Court • The highest court in the US Government • The Supreme Court’s job is to interpret the Constitution. • There are 9 Supreme Court justices

Checks and Balances • A political idea that describes how the branches of government work together. • Each branch is assigned specific duties (separation of powers). • Checks and balances were created so that one branch can not take control. Instead, the other two “watch over” the one making decisions