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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.
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.
Essential Questions:
The Legislative Branchmeets in the Capitol
Building
Senate House of Representatives
Click on each name to find out information about their job.
President
The Executive Branch
meets in the White House.
Vice President Cabinet
Click on each name to find out information about their job.
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.
Powers ExecutiveBranch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Congress passes a law
The President signs bills into law or vetoes them
Can declare laws unconstitutional
President appoints judges
to Supreme Court
Senate confirms appointment
Congress can declare war
President carries out the declaration of war
Congress can impeach the President
Trial of impeachment of President is held in Supreme Court
Supreme Court sends criminals to prison
President has pardoning power
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.