Three Branches of the US Government Lesson

Inquiring minds should
want to know…

 What are the three branches of

government?

 Why do we need three

branches?

 Who are the leaders of the three

branches of government?

 What are the roles of the three

branches of government?

 How do the branches work

together?

Why three branches?

Limitation of Powers –

Separation of Powers –

Checks & Balances –

Reduce Control

Divide Control

Share Control

Branches of Government

Legislative

Executive

Judicial

Senate

Senators/2 per state

House of Representatives

Representatives/based on population

Originate a bill, get a majority vote from
all of Congress, get the President to
approve – bill becomes a law

Legislative Branch

Congress

Responsible for making laws

Elected and serves for no more than two
consecutive 4-year terms, appoints members of
the President’s cabinet

Commander-in-chief of the armed forces, deals with
other countries,

veto power

Executive Branch

The President

Responsible for enforcing laws

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Responsible for interpreting

the laws

Appointed by the President, highest
court, there are 9 total members,
serve a lifetime term

Overrule decisions made by lower
courts, determine actions made by
the President or Congress
unconstitutional

Legislative Branch

Judicial Branch

Executive Branch

Name:______________

Congress

President

Vice President

Supreme Court Justices

The U.S. Capitol

The White House

The Supreme Court

Nominates Judges

Can rule whether actions are Constitutional

Senate

House of Representatives

Review
Branches of Government

Legislative

Branch

Congress makes

laws

Executive Branch

The President enforces

laws

Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court interprets laws