1. The structure of American Government Tree
Fall 2017

2. Remember this guy?

3. Montesquieu was afraid of despots!
He called for the government to be divided into branches.
Our Founding Fathers (like James Madison: the Father of the Constitution) agreed with him and set up three branches of government.

4. The Three Branches

5. The Legislative Branch
They make laws!
It’s made up of Congress (A term used to describe BOTH the House of Representatives and Senate)

6. The Executive Branch They enforce laws!
The President of the United States is the Chief Executive.

7. The Judicial Branch
They punish offenders and determine if laws are constitutional (allowed)!
The U.S. Supreme Court leads this branch.

8. Checks and balances
In order to keep the branches on the tree from growing together and making one supreme branch, there must be leaves keeping them separate.
These leaves are checks and balances!

11. Class Activity
You will draw your own American Government Tree showing the three branches of government. In between the branches, you will write major checks and balances that keep the three branches apart!

12. Grading Colorful 1 2 3 4 5x5 Neat 1 2 3 4 5x5
Required Information x5
Appropriate Checks and Balances x5
_____Grade

13. Let’s review enumerated and implied powers
Enumerated Powers are actually written in the Constitution. Examples are the freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.
Implied Powers are those that are not actually written but that are necessary for the government to do its job. Remember the water fountain example!
It was impossible for the founders to anticipate future issues. Alexander Hamilton (a Founding Father) noted that the "general welfare clause" and the "necessary and proper clause" gave elasticity to the constitution.