Transcript 3branchesofgov

Clipart provided for free by Philip Martin. See attached website for information.
http://www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/homepage.htm
Table of Contents

Overview
What will be learned

GPS Standard (SS4H5.c)
Branches of Government
Essential Questions

What are the three branches of government?

What are the jobs of each branch?
 Legislative
 Judicial
 Executive

How does each branch balance the power of the other two branches?
Your Task




You will learn about:
• The three branches of government
•
•
The jobs of each branch
How each branch balances the power
of the other two branches
GPS Standard:

SS4H5.c Identify the three branches of the U.S. government
as outlined by the Constitution, describe what they do, how
they relate to each other (checks and balances and
separation of power), and how they relate to the states.
Essential Questions:
What are the three branches of our government? What are the jobs
of each branch?
Executive Branch: Job is to make sure the laws are obeyed.
Legislative Branch: Job is to make the laws.
Judicial Branch: Job is to determine the meaning of the laws.
Click on each branch to find out more about the responsibilities of each branch.
Click on each name to find out information
about their job.
The Legislative Branch
meets in the Capitol
Building
Senate
House of Representatives
Click Supreme Court to
find out information about
their job.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court
Click on each name to
find out information
about their job.
The Executive
Branch
meets in the
White House.
President
Vice President
The Vice President is the head of
the Senate and is also part of the
President ‘s Cabinet. He will step
in as President of the United
States in the event the President
is unable to serve.
Cabinet
Essential Question: How does each branch balance the power of the other two
branches?
The writers of the U.S. Constitution wanted to create a strong national government, but they wanted to make
sure that one group didn’t have too much power. That’s why they separated the government's powers into these
three branches. This structure is often called a system of “checks and balances”. Each branch has certain powers
to “check” the other branches and make sure that power is balanced among them. The table below shows how
the branches use some of their powers to check the other branches.
Powers
Congress passes a law
Executive
Branch
The President signs bills into law
or vetoes them
President appoints judges to
Supreme Court
Congress can declare war
Judicial
Branch
Can declare laws
unconstitutional
Senate confirms appointment
President carries out the
declaration of war
Congress can impeach the
President
Supreme Court sends criminals to
prison
Legislative
Branch
Trial of impeachment of President
is held in Supreme Court
President has pardoning power
Your Task:

Think about some questions you might
have regarding the history or structure of
our government.

Create a list of ten questions you’d like to
ask the future President of the United
States.
Thanks to http://bensguide.gpo.gov/