1. Branches of Government Museum
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Room One
Room Two
Room Three
Room Four
Artifact 1
Museum Entrance
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2. Curator Information Sources:
All primary sources (video recording, pictures, and documents) were used in the museum.
Jennifer is majoring in elementary education, with a concentration in Social Studies.
Jennifer loves learning about and teaching government. She currently works for a congressional office.
Sources:
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Note: Virtual museums were first introduced by educators at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham, Pennsylvania. This template was designed by Lindsey Warneka under the direction of Dr. Christy Keeler during a Teaching American History grant module. View the Educational Virtual Museums website for more information on this instructional technique.

3. Standards
14.A.3 Describe how responsibilities are shared and limited by the United States and Illinois Constitutions and significant court decisions.
14.B.3 Identify and compare the basic political systems of Illinois and the United States as prescribed in their constitutions.

4. Graphic Organizer Branches of Government Museum Judicial Supreme Court
Justices
Presidential Appointment
Legislative
Senate
Bill video
House of Representatives
Executive
The presidency (inauguration video)
The White House
Presidential Power (signing and vetoing bills)
Separation of Powers
Veto Power
Supreme Court Rulings
Checks on Congress

5. The Judicial Branch
Artifact 3
Artifact 4
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6. The Legislative Branch
Artifact 6
Artifact 5
Artifact 7
Click to watch video
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7. Click here to watch inauguration
The Executive Branch
Artifact 9
Artifact 8
Artifact 10
Click here to watch inauguration
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8. A Separation of Powers Artifact 12 Artifact 11 Artifact 13
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9. Constitution of the United States of America
In 1789, the Constitution was adopted by the United States.
The Constitution set up government and established three separate branches of governments- the judicial, legislative, and executive.
In order to prevent a monarchy (like America experienced under the rule of Great Britain), power was separated between the three branches. The Constitution also set up a system of checks and balances between the three branches.
Title: Constitution of the United States
Date Created/Published: c1867 January 12.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-pga (digital file from original print) LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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10. The Supreme Court Insert Artifact Picture Here
The main job of the Judicial Branch is to carry out laws.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is the head of the judicial branch.
The Supreme Court hears only the most important court cases. The Supreme Court hears very few cases per year. Rulings made by the Court are final.
Title: United States Supreme Court
Date Created/Published: [ca. 1950]
Medium: 1 photomechanical print.
Summary: Exterior of the Supreme Court.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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11. The Justices Insert Artifact Picture Here
The Supreme Court is composed of 9 justices. The justices have no term limit and serve for life, or until retirement.
The photo above shows the justices in 1925.
Current Supreme Court Justices include:
Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Thomas Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan
The chief justice of the Supreme Court is John Roberts.
Title: The U.S. Supreme Court in 1925
Date Created/Published: 1925.
Summary: Left to right: McReynolds, Sanford, Holmes, Sutherland, Taft, Butler, Van Devanter, Stone, Brandeis.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ds (digital file from original item) LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication. No renewal in Copyright office.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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12. Presidential Appointment
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Presidential Appointment
Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President and must be approved by Congress.
The document above shows President Roosevelt’s appointment of Felix Frankfurter to the Supreme Court. This document was sent to be approved by Senate on January 5, 1939.
Title: Frankfurter named to Supreme Court
Date Created/Published: [1939]
Summary: Copy of the appointment of Felix Frankfurter to the U.S. Supreme Court, which President Roosevelt sent to the Senate on January 5, 1939.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
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13. “That’s the Senate over There”
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“That’s the Senate over There”
Congress is made up of two chambers, the House of Representatives and Senate.
Senate is made up of 100 members- 2 senators represent each state.
The majority whip and minority whip are the leaders of Senate. The party (Democrat or Republican) with 51 or more seats in Senate is the majority. The party with 49 or less seats in Senate is the minority.
Title: "-- and that's the U.S. Senate, over there"
Creator(s): Block, Herbert, , artist
Date Created/Published: 7-8-[19]53.
Medium: 1 drawing.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-hlb (digital file from original drawing)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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14. Making The Laws Insert Artifact Picture Here
The main job of the Legislative branch is to make the laws. Bills are written and can be presented to either the Senate of the House as a bill.
Bills travel through committees in both the house and Senate and must be passed by a majority in both. If a bill is passed by chambers, the bill will move to the executive branch for approval. If the bill is passed by the President, it becomes a law.
“I’m Just a Bill”. Schoolhouse Rock. Retrieved fromhttp://
“I’m Just a Bill” graphic. Retrieved from
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15. The House of Representatives
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The House of Representatives
Congress is made up of two chambers, the House of Representatives and Senate. The House of Representatives has 435 members. States are divided up into districts. Each district decided based on population. Each district has a representative in the House of Representatives.
The leader of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is chosen by the party with the majority of seats in the house (218 or more). The current Speaker of the House is John Boehner (Republican).
Title: [Session of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol]
Date Created/Published: [between 1920 and 1930]
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ds (digital file from original item) LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA  
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16. The Presidency Insert Artifact Picture Here
The president is the head of the executive branch.
The president is elected for a term of 4 years, and can run for reelection (another 4 years). A president can serve for a maximum of 8 years. If the president is unable to serve, the vice president will take over.
The photograph above and the video attached show the inauguration of former President John F. Kennedy.
“President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural address”. CBS. Retrieved from
“JFK Inaugural”. American Rhetoric. Retrieved from
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17. The White House Insert Artifact Picture Here
The President and his family reside in the White House. They move in right after the President’s inauguration, and reside there until the next president is inaugurated.
The White House is located in Washington, D.C.
Title: Front view of White House
Date Created/Published: c1934.
Summary: North front of the White House.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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18. Implementing Laws Insert Artifact Picture Here
The main function of the executive branch, is to implement laws.
After a bill is passed by Congress, the bill is sent to the president. The president can either sign the bill- in which case it immediately becomes a law- or the president can veto the bill.
The photograph above shows former President Franklin Roosevelt signing a Navy bill into a law.
Title: PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SIGNS NAVY BILL
Creator(s): Harris & Ewing, photographer
Date Created/Published: [1934]
Medium: 1 negative : glass ; 4 x 5 in. or smaller
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-hec (digital file from original negative)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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19. “Say, what if he should use the veto?”
The executive branch is responsible for implementing laws. After Congress passes a bill, the bill must be sent to the president. The president can either sign the bill, in which case the bill becomes a law, or he can veto the bill. If the bill is vetoed, it is sent back to the House of Representatives along with a list of reasons explaining why the President vetoed the bill. A 2/3 vote by Congress can override the president’s veto and make the bill a law. The president can also choose to do nothing (“pocket veto”). If Congress is in session, the bill will become a law after 10 days. If Congress is not in session, the bill will not become a law.
Title: "Say -- what if he should use the veto?"
Creator(s): Block, Herbert, , artist
Date Created/Published: 3-27-[19]50.
Medium: 1 drawing.
Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-hlb (digital file from original drawing)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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20. Supreme Court Appeal Insert Artifact Picture Here
The main job of the judicial branch is to carry out laws. The Supreme Court hears a select few very important cases each year.
The Supreme Court is responsible for making sure the executive and legislative branches are abiding my the constitution, often ruling on whether or not laws and actions are constitutional.
Title: Supreme Court of the U.S. [in session]
Date Created/Published: c1911.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ (b&w film copy neg.)
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C USA
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21. Checks on Congress Insert Artifact Picture Here
The main job of the Legislative Branch is to create laws.
Bills can start in either chamber of Congress and travel through committees in both the House and Senate and must be passed by a majority in both. If a bill is passed by chambers, the bill will move to the executive branch for approval. If the bill is passed by the President, it becomes a law.
The Legislative branch provides a check on itself in that both the House and Senate must pass a bill in order for it to move forward.
“Congress.” Southeast Coal Ash. Retrieved from Congress.
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