Chapter 3 Section 2Chapter 3 Section 2

““The Three Branches of The Three Branches of Government”Government”

Name

March 1, 2012

Warm upWarm up

Are there any similarities or differencesAre there any similarities or differences

between our modern Presidents and that of between our modern Presidents and that of a Monarch? a Monarch?

Article 2: Section 3Article 2: Section 3

““He shall from time to time, give the Congress He shall from time to time, give the Congress information of the state of the Union and information of the state of the Union and recommend to their consideration such recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient” expedient”

Since the advent of the television, the “State of the Since the advent of the television, the “State of the Union” address has been watched by millions.Union” address has been watched by millions.

NameNameDate March 1, 2012Date March 1, 2012

Define 3 Key Terms (Pg 68 or 75):Define 3 Key Terms (Pg 68 or 75):

1)1)

2)2)

3)3)

I. The Legislative Branch (Article 1)I. The Legislative Branch (Article 1)

A) A) Congress = House of Representatives Congress = House of Representatives

(435 members) (435 members)

+ the Senate (100 members)+ the Senate (100 members)

B) Congress today handles a much greater B) Congress today handles a much greater

# of bills (proposed laws) than before# of bills (proposed laws) than before

The Legislature’s PowersThe Legislature’s Powers

Expressed Power:Expressed Power:Power directly (explicitly) stated by thePower directly (explicitly) stated by the

constitution.constitution.

Elastic Clause:Elastic Clause:Gives Congress the power to make all laws Gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper.”“necessary and proper.”

* Called * Called ELASTICELASTIC because it allows Congress because it allows Congress to “stretch” its powers to meet situations the to “stretch” its powers to meet situations the Founders could not anticipate in the 18Founders could not anticipate in the 18 thth cent. cent.

II. The Executive Branch (Article 2)II. The Executive Branch (Article 2)

A) The President is the head of the Executive A) The President is the head of the Executive Branch, and has vague Constitutional PowersBranch, and has vague Constitutional Powers

Some Specified Powers:Some Specified Powers:- Commander in Chief of the military- Commander in Chief of the military- Appoints heads of the Executive Dept.- Appoints heads of the Executive Dept.- Makes treaties with other nations- Makes treaties with other nations- Can grant pardons/stays of execution, etc.- Can grant pardons/stays of execution, etc.- Appoints U.S. Ambassadors abroad- Appoints U.S. Ambassadors abroad- Gives the “State of the Union” address- Gives the “State of the Union” address

B) Modern Presidents have every minute B) Modern Presidents have every minute accounted for during the day. They have accounted for during the day. They have

planners, speech writers, and numerous planners, speech writers, and numerous assistants to help them.assistants to help them.

THEN NOW

George Washington President Barack Obama

III. The Judicial Branch (Article 3)III. The Judicial Branch (Article 3)

A) Two system of CourtsA) Two system of Courts

1) Federal Courts (up to the Supreme Court)1) Federal Courts (up to the Supreme Court)

Powers come from the constitution and from Powers come from the constitution and from

Federal LawsFederal Laws

*Supreme Court rulings on constitutional issues can only be *Supreme Court rulings on constitutional issues can only be overturned by amendments to the Constitutionoverturned by amendments to the Constitution

2) State Courts2) State CourtsPowers come from state Powers come from state constitutions and state lawsconstitutions and state laws

* Each court has the authority to hear only certain * Each court has the authority to hear only certain kinds of cases.kinds of cases.

Questions to AnswerQuestions to Answer

Understanding Concepts (p.68) Understanding Concepts (p.68) What is the chief function of each of the three branches What is the chief function of each of the three branches

of the Federal Government?of the Federal Government?

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