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The Three Branches of Government. Guiding Questions. What are the three branches of government? What are the primary responsibilities of each? Why does the U.S. Constitution provide for a separation of powers? How does the system of checks and balances work?. Introduction. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Guiding QuestionsGuiding Questions1. What are the three branches of
government?2. What are the primary
responsibilities of each?3. Why does the U.S. Constitution
provide for a separation of powers?
4. How does the system of checks and balances work?
IntroductionIntroduction• U.S. Constitution divides
powers among three branches
• “Separation of Powers”
• Why was this done?Why was this done?
Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers• Limits
government powers
• Prevents any one branch from having too much power
Three Branches of Government
Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch
• What does each branch do?
Three Branches of Government
Legislative Branch – makes the nation’s laws
Executive Branch – carries out the laws
Judicial Branch – interprets the laws
3 Branches of Government
ExecutiveBranch
LegislativeBranch
JudicialBranch
CongressPresident &
Vice PresidentSupreme Court
Advisors & Appointees
SenateHouse of
RepresentativesFederal Court
System
Legislative Branch
• Article 1 of the Constitution
• Congress – law-making branch
• Two houses
–Senate
–House of Representatives
Executive Branch
• Article 2 of the Constitution
• Executes, or carries out, nation’s laws
• President, Vice President, appointees & advisors
Judicial Branch• Article 3 of the Constitution• U.S. Supreme Court & federal
court system1. Interprets laws2. Punishes law-breakers3. Determines if laws are
constitutional
Checks & Balances
• Each branch has its own powers
• Yet, no branch can become too powerful
• How does the Constitution balance the powers?
How does this work?
• Congress has power to make laws
• President has power to veto, or turn down, proposed laws
• President can check power of Congress
Can Congress check the President’s power?
• Congress can override, or pass a law over President’s veto
• 2/3 majority vote in both houses needed
Is the Supreme Court involved in law-making?
• Supreme Court can check the powers of Congress and the President
• Interprets laws• Determines if laws are constitutional
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