United States Government

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SS-05-1.2.1Students will identify the three branches of the U.S. Government, explain the basic

duties of each branch (executive-enforce the laws, legislative-make the laws, judicial- interpret the laws) and identify important national/federal offices/leaders,

(President, Vice-President, Congress, House, Senate, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, U.S. Supreme Court, judges) associated with each branch.

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Let’s learn about our government…

• The United States was officially established in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which freed our country from England’s rule

• From this point forward, this country was known as the thirteen colonies and were governed individually

• In 1787, the Constitutional Convention met to write a Constitution for our country

• In 1789, the U.S. Constitution was finalized, and George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States

To learn more history about the United States Capitol Building, click on the flag below…

A brief history of the United States of America

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Let’s learn about our government (continued)…

The U.S. Constitution breaks the government into three parts that all share equal powers. Click on the buildings to

learn more about each part.

The 3 Branches of Government

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Legislative Branch

• The most important responsibility of this branch of government is to make the laws of the country

• Congress and other agencies make up the Legislative Branch

• Congress has two parts –

1. The House of Representatives

2. The Senate

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Executive Branch

• The most important responsibility of this branch of government is to enforce the laws

•The President, Vice President, and other members of the Cabinet make up this branch

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Judicial Branch

• The Judicial Branch’s primary responsibility is to make judgments about the law.– Some of these judgments include:

• What the meaning of a law is• How to appropriately apply a law• If a law violates the rules set in the Constitution

• The Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, plays a vital role to this part of government

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Our Government Today

• Today, the president of our country is Barack Obama– He will be president until 2012, when there will

be a new election

• The Vice President is Joe Biden

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What do you know about the U.S. Government?

Take the quiz!!

When did the United States become an independent country?

a. In 1500b. It has always been independ

entc. In 1776d. None of the above

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Who was the first president of the United States?

a. Abraham Lincolnb. John F. Kennedyc. George W. Bushd. George Washington

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How many branches of government are there?

a. fiveb. threec. oned. two

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What is the primary responsibility of the Legislative Branch?

a. To enforce lawsb. To make lawsc. To make judgments about the la

wsd. None of the above

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Which of the following makes up the Legislative Branch?

a. Presidentb. Supreme Courtc. U.S. citizensd. Congress

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Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the Executive

Branch?

a. To enforce the lawsb. To make all decisions in the coun

tryc. To judge the lawsd. None of the above

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Which of the following makes up the Executive Branch of

Government?

a. Congressb. The Presidentc. Supreme Courtd. Police Officers

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Who makes up the Judicial Branch of government?

a. Supreme Courtb. Local courtsc. Presidentd. Congress

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Who is the president and vice president of our country?

a. Bill Clinton & Al Goreb. George W. Bush & Al Gorec. Bill Clinton & Dick Cheneyd. Barack Obama & Joe Biden

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In what year will there be a new election for president?

a. 2009b. 2012c. 2010d. 2008

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