Three Branches of Government How the United States government is structured and organized.

What is the United States government? Federal Government Constitutional Republic The U.S. is a federal state Union of self-governing states or regions united by a central government Division of power between component states and the central government Republican form of government – a form of public matter where officials are elected or appointed Government established under a constitution Seeks the rights of individuals and groups within the republic

The Constitution Created by our Founding Fathers (Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, etc.) Grew out of problems with the Articles of Confederation Created from the Constitutional Convention Consists of the Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendments) and other Amendments

Democratic Nation The U.S. is also a democratic nation in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives Promotes voting rights and equal say for the government Encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions

Voting & Election Process Voting rights given to the people from the U.S. Constitution & the form of government Every citizen allowed to vote in their respective county and state Citizens can vote on electing officials and representatives and referendums Federal elections occur every two years on the first Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November Votes for new President every four years Electoral College dictates Presidential Candidate

Checks & Balances Originated from the writings of Montesquieu in “The Spirit of the Laws” Separated into three powers by the U.S. Constitution: Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches System created to have an equal government where each branch does not have more power than the other

Legislative Branch Comprised of Congress: House of Representatives and Senate Sole power to legislate and enact laws Powers include: -Writes and enacts laws -Declares war -May start investigations -Creates Presidential appoint. -Senate ratifies treaties -House of Representatives may impeach

Executive Branch Executive Branch consists of the U.S. President and his cabinet President becomes Commander in Chief Powers include: -May veto laws -Wages war at the direction of Congress -Makes decrees or declarations -Appoints judges and executive department heads

Judiciary Branch Power to decide cases and controversies Consists of the U.S. Supreme Court Consists of 9 judges that are appointed by the President Determines… -Which laws Congress intended to apply to any given case -Whether a law is unconstitutional -How Congress meant the law to apply to disputes -Polices its own members

How Checks & Balances Work

Central & State Government Under the 10th Amendment, all powers are not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people All state governments are modeled after the federal government Also consists of three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial Constitution mandates that all states uphold a republican form of government

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