Government Calhoun Academy of the Arts – 4th Grade Courtney Sargent

Branches of Government Tree

Branches of Government The powers of the government found in the United States Constitution are separated into three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary branches Each of these three branches has specific powers and are checked and balanced by the other branches to ensure that they are in compliance with the Constitution

Who is in the Executive branch of the government? Vice President – Mike Pence The President – Donald Trump Cabinet members (advisors) Commander and Chief of the military

Did you know? The White House had other names? President’s Palace, Executive House, President’s House The 11th President (James Polk) was the first president to get his picture taken? Abraham Lincoln was 6’ 4’’? William Henry Harrison (the 9th President) was the only president to study medicine to be a doctor? James Garfield (the 20th President) was the first president to be left-handed?

Executive Branch: The President heads the executive branch Lives in the white house Makes sure laws are obeyed Enforces laws Suggests laws to the legislative branch Appoints Supreme Court justices, but must be approved by Congress Commander in Chief of military 1 7

Vetoing A Bill Vetoing – when the President rejects a bill that Congress wants passed. The President has the power to veto. Congress can overturn a veto if 2/3 of its members still want the law.

The Executive Branch Click to watch a video.

“Government” (to the tune of “Baby” Justin Bieber) Woahhhh …… And there are 3 branches of the government… Legislative Judicial and the… There are 3 branches of Executive. They are equal… The government…. Equal, equal, equal We know they love us, we know they care We vote wherever, and they’ll be there. The first one is the EXECUTIVE It’s the Pressy, VP, and the Cabinet. What do they do there? Enforce the laws. Sign a bill (to become law.) And they have the right to veto Which means they can override a law.

Judicial Branch: - people who work in the Judicial branch of government - purposes of the Judicial Branch

Who is in the Judicial branch of the government? Supreme Court There are 9 Supreme Court Justices; 1 of the 9 is a Chief Justice. The justices are chosen by the President. Supreme Court Justices serve for life.

Judicial Branch: Decides whether or not the laws are Constitutional Includes a system of courts The Supreme Court highest court in the land Supreme Court as nine judges who serve for life

Supreme Court Justices The first Supreme Court Chief Justice: John Jay (in 1789) John Marshall served for 34 years. It is the longest Chief Justice term in history.

Judicial Branch Click to watch a video.

“Government” (to the tune of “Baby” by JB) Woahhhh …… And there are 3 branches of the government… There are 3 branches of Legislative Judicial and the… the government. Executive. They are equal… Equal, equal, equal We know they love us, we know they care We vote wherever, and they’ll be there. Second one is the JUDICIAL The first one is the Making sure that laws are Constitutional EXECUTIVE They want to play it cool, as they read the law It’s the Pressy, VP, and the Cabinet. Cuz they read everything, they judge everything.   What do they do there? Judges are chosen by the President Enforce the laws. And they work all of their life in the courts Sign a bill (to become law.) They are they highest, highest, highest And they have the right to veto And I just can’t believe that JM served 34. Which means they can override a law. And there are 3 branches of the government And there are 3 branches of the government Legislative, Judicial, and the… Legislative, Judicial, and the… Executive. They are equal. Executive. They are equal. Equal, Equal, Equal. (repeat) Equal, Equal, Equal

Who is in the Legislative Branch? Senate House of Representatives 2 members from each state Both members represent the whole state Vice President serves as president of the Senate (the leader of the Senate) 435 members Numbers determined by population Leader is called the “Speaker of the House.” The Speaker of the House is elected by House members.

Legislative Branch The legislative branch is the Congress Congress divided into the House of Representatives and Senate Located in Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Writes, debates, and passes bills. Congress approves judges of the Supreme Court

Legislative Branch Click picture to watch video

“Government” (to the tune of “Baby” by JB) Woahhhh …… And there are 3 branches of the government… There are 3 branches of Legislative Judicial and the… the government. Executive. They are equal… Equal, equal, equal We know they love us, we know they care We vote wherever, and they’ll be there. Second one is the JUDICIAL The first one is the Making sure that laws are Constitutional EXECUTIVE They want to play it cool, as they read the law It’s the Pressy, VP, and the Cabinet. Cuz they read everything, they judge everything.   What do they do there? Judges are chosen by the President Enforce the laws. And they work all of their life in the courts Sign a bill (to become law.) They are the highest, highest, highest And they have the right to veto And I just can’t believe that JM served 34. Which means they can override a law. And there are 3 branches of the government And there are 3 branches of the government Legislative, Judicial, and the… Legislative, Judicial, and the… Executive. They are equal. Executive. They are equal. Equal, Equal, Equal. (repeat) Equal, Equal, Equal

When I was in Congress I checked the Pressy When I was in Congress I checked the Pressy. There’s nobody that can pass and write The Pressy tries… but can never rise above They had me going crazy, oh I was starstruck. They voted me in here, don’t need no Starbucks. The Legislative, The House and Senate working hard days And they’re in D.C… But I always gotta work on the weekend. Everybody better watch out, cuz we declare war And now my heart is racin’ but I just keep on sayin’… 3 Branches of Government… Legislative, Judicial, and the Executive, They are equal. Equal, Equal, Equal (repeat)

Separation of Powers This separation balances the branches of government and keeps any one of them from growing too powerful. Legislative Branch - - - - - - - - - - - - Writes laws Confirms presidential appointments Approves treaties Grants money Declares war Executive Branch - - - - - - - - - - - - Enforces laws Signs bills to become a law Command and chief of military Appoints officials Conducts foreign policy Judicial Branch - - - - - - - - - - - - Makes sure laws are Constitutional Reviews lower-court decisions Highest court in the country

-- Checks & Balances -- making sure a branch doesn’t abuse its power

Just A Bill School House Rock

Virginia Plan Virginia thought that states with large populations should have the most power. The larger the population, the more representation in government! (More populated states should have greater representation in government) (Representatives work to make laws)

New Jersey Plan Thought that the legislature should have one house with two representatives no matter the population. Representation should be EQUAL. (Each state should have equal representation. No state should have more power than another based on population)

Definition of Compromise an agreement reached after both sides give something up in order to get the most of what they really want

THE GREAT COMPROMISE! Create a TWO House Legislature: The House of Representatives would have representatives based on Population (435 today) The Senate would have equal representation for all states. Each state will have two Senators (100 total for the U.S. Today) This agreement tried to satisfy the big and small states

Three-Fifths Compromise When the Great Compromise determined that representation in the House of Representatives was going to be based on population, delegates debated over how to count slaves for the purposes of representation. The Three-Fifths Compromise called for slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person The federal government also issued the return of any runaway slaves throughout the country.

Political Cartoon

Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights is the name of the first ten amendments to the Constitution that were added to protect individual rights and freedoms not address in the Constitution. The states were worried that the Constitution gave the national government too much power Amendments were proposed during the first Congress and sent to the states for ratification (approval).

Bill of Rights Ten of these amendments were ratified The rights include: freedom of religion, speech and assembly, the rights for citizens to bear arms, protection against troops being quartered in private homes, safeguards against unreasonable searches, and the requirement for indictment by a grand jury for major crimes It also guarantees a speedy trial by jury, and prohibits excessive bail.

Bill of Rights Rap

Citizens Citizen – a member of a country. If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen. Rights of citizens: freedom of religion freedom of speech fair trial right to vote

What are some responsibilities of Citizens? paying taxes serving on juries getting involved obeying the law respecting the rights of others going to school