Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers3 Branches of Government

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsVocabularyQuestionsCongress- The Legislative Branch

The Executive BranchThe Judicial BranchSummary

VocabularyVocabularyVetoExpressed PowersElastic ClauseJurisdictionAppeal

QuestionsQuestionsWhat powers does the legislative branch have?

What powers does the executive branch have?

What is the main duty of the judicial branch?

The Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch

The Legislative BranchThe Legislative BranchThe Congress has expressed powers that

are clearly stated in The Constitution.Their main duty is to write laws.Levy Taxes.Coin Money.Declare War.The elastic clause is the most

controversial of all of Congress’ powers. It states that the Congress can make laws that are necessary and proper to exercise their duties. This allows them to increase and decrease their power as they see fit.

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

The Executive BranchThe Executive BranchThe executive branch’s main duty is to

enforce laws.The president is commander and chief

of the military.May pardon any person convicted of a

crime.May veto or reject laws from the

Congress.Negotiates treaties.The powers of the president are

somewhat broad and vague. This allows the president to increase and decrease their duties as they see fit.

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial BranchThe main duty of the judicial

branch is to interpret the laws. This allows for interpretation of laws to change over time.

Jurisdiction is the area of law that the federal court may hear cases about.

Most cases involve challenges to laws in the Constitution.

Their most important power is judicial review.

SummarySummary

The framers who wrote the Constitution were aware of time and change. They knew that government would have to be able to adapt to changes over time.

• For each branch of government describe how the framers gave them the ability to adapt.

• Why is the ability to adapt so important?