THE THREE BRANCHES OF

GOVERNMENT

United states government

• The Constitution created a government of three equal branches, or parts.

• The Constitution is the plan and set of rules for our government.

• The three branches are:

• LEGISLATIVE• EXECUTIVE• JUDICIAL

The legislative branch

• The Constitution created Congress.

• It is a group of people elected to make laws for the country.

• Congress has two parts: The Senate and The House of Representatives.

The senate

• There are 100 senators.

• Each state has two senators.

• A Senator is in office for 6 years. This is called a “term.”

• Senators meet in the U.S. Capitol building

The house of representatives

• There are 435 representatives.

• The more people that live in a state, the more representatives it has.

• Representatives serve for a term of two years.

• They can be elected for more than one term.

The Executive Branch• The president, or

Chief Executive, is the head of the government.

• Americans vote every four years for their leader of their democratic society.

• After elected to serve his/her country, the president lives and works in the White House.

• The president is in charge of the armed forces.

• The president works with leaders of other countries.

The Judicial branch

• The Supreme Court is the highest court is the U. S., and is the system of courts to settle questions about the laws.

• The nine justices can serve for as long as they live, or wish to retire.

• Each justice is chosen by the president.

Government

• The president carries out the laws of the United States.

• The Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) makes the laws.

• The Supreme Court explains the laws.

Branches of Government Foldable

• On the lines provided, write 3 main powers given to that branch by the U.S. Constitution.

• DESCRIBE IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!• In the blank box, draw a picture that

represent that branch of government. • You should have 3 boxes at the end

Powers listed in the Constitution=expressed or

enumerated powers• Legislative Branch

– Article I Section 8• Executive Branch

– Article II Section 2, 3 • Judicial Branch

– Article III Section 1, 2, 3

Powers• Executive1. Approve or veto laws

2. Makes treaties with foreign governments

3. Nominates federal judges and ambassadors

4. Serves as commander in chief of the military

• Judicial 1. Serves for life

2. Interprets the constitution

3. Determines the legality of laws based on the constitution—judicial review

• Legislative1. Taxation2. Borrowing money3. Regulate trade4. Citizenship and

bankruptcy laws5. Establishing money6. Punish counterfeiters7. Copyrights and patents8. Establish court systems9. Crimes at sea (piracy)10. Declare war11. Raise and army12. Maintain Navy13. Regulate armed forces14. Call up militia15. Control federal property16. Elastic clause

Democracy Rules !