We The People… Learning about the three branches of our National Government

Words to Watch For:  U.S. Constitution--The document which establishes the basic principles of the American government  Negotiates--To come to terms or reach an agreement with another person or group  Treaties--A formal agreement between two or more groups, states or countries  Ambassador--A person who represents one country’s government by living and working in another country  Bills--Proposed laws  Regulates--To direct actions according to rules or laws  Commerce--The buying and selling of goods between two states or countries  Taxes--Money given to the government to pay for services provided

There are THREE branches of our national (federal) government:  Executive Branch  Judicial Branch  Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch  The President of the United States is head of the Executive Branch.  The Vice President and Cabinet members work in this branch of government also.

Duties of the Executive Branch  Administers/enforces laws  Negotiates treaties  Conducts foreign policy  Proposes laws  Commands the armed forces  Appoints ambassadors, judges and other officials

The President

The Judicial Branch  Made up of all the federal courts  U.S. Supreme Court is highest court in U.S.  Appointed for life to insure decisions are not influenced by need to be reappointed

Duties of the Judicial Branch  Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws…the courts translate the laws  Also decide how the laws are applied  Make decisions about whether laws break the rules of the U.S. Constitution

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch: Congress  U.S. Senate 100 members Two (2) Senators are elected from each state in the U.S., regardless of size or population Senators serve terms of six years— can be re-elected  U.S. House of Representatives 435 members Each state elects Representatives based on the population of the state Representatives serve terms of two years—can be re- elected

Duties of the Legislative Branch  Makes laws  Creates and passes bills  Approves appointments and treaties made by the President  Regulates commerce  Sets and collect taxes  Coins money  Declares war

Why THREE branches?  So there wouldn’t be one person or group that had too much power or control  Each branch has a very specific role and set of powers  Needed a government that would be fair  Wanted to be united as a country

Checks and Balances  Allow each branch of government to check on the other branches to ensure what they are doing is lawful and in line with the U.S. Constitution