The Three Branches of the United States Government

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The Three Branches of the United States Government
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DO NOW

• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR TEXTBOOK
• WHAT ARE THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
• DESCRIBE THEIR ROLES
• WHICH ONE IS THE MOST POWERFUL?

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OUR GOVERNMENT

• Constitution
• a document that gives power to the government and
  rights to the people

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OUR GOVERNMENT

• Checks and Balances a system that prevents any
  part of government (branch) from becoming too
  powerful each of the branches can limit powers
  of the others.
• EX) Congress makes laws that the president signs
• The Constitution divides power among three parts
  or branches of government to ensure no one
  branch has all the power.
• Article 1 legislative
• Article 2 executive
• Article 3 judicial

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Legislative Branch

• Division of the government that proposes and
  passes bills

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Executive Branch

• Division of government that includes the
  president and administrators enforces laws.

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Judicial Branch

• Division of government made up of courts in
  charge of the court system interprets laws,
  punishes criminals and settles disputes

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SUMMARY OF BRANCHES
Senate and House of Reps- make laws
President - makes laws into reality
Supreme Court - reviews laws
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Legislative Branch Congress
MAKES LAWS
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Legislative Congress

• House of Representatives
• Reps serve 2 yrs
• A Rep must be 25 yrs old a citizen for 7 yrs
• Can suggest tax laws
• Can impeach the president

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Legislative Congress

• Senate
• Senators serve a 6 yr term
• A Senator must be 30 yrs old and a citizen for 9
  yrs
• Can approve presidential appointments
• Approves treaties with foreign powers
• Can put the president on trial after impeachment

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Legislative Congress

• Both the House and Senate together
• 10. Can propose laws
• 11. Can declare war
• 12. Can override the presidents veto with
  a 2/3 vote
• 13. Can propose amendments to the
  Constitution with a 2/3 vote

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Executive Branch the President
ENFORCES LAWS
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Executive the President, Vice President and
Cabinet

1. The President serves a four year term.
2. The President must be at least 35 yrs old, a
   14-yr resident and native born
3. Has the power to approve or veto laws
4. Makes international treaties
5. Nominates judges to the Supreme Ct
6. Appoints cabinet members
7. Is Commander-in-Chief of the military

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Judicial Branch Supreme and Federal Courts
INTERPRETS LAWS
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Judicial Supreme and Federal Courts

1. Justices of the Supreme Ct serve for life
2. Can declare laws unconstitutional
3. Can settle disputes involving the U.S.
4. Can settle disputes between states
5. Chief Justice rules over an impeachment trial of
   the President