​Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is made up of Congress --> The Senate and The House of Representatives.

This branch is responsible for making the laws.

​Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is made up of the President, the Vice President, and the Cabinet.

The President is the leader of the Federal Government and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The Vice President supports the President and steps in if the President is unable to. The Cabinet members are advisors to the President.

This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws.

​Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme Court.

This branch is responsible for interpreting the laws.

Interpreting the laws means to decide the meaning of the laws --> Is this law legal?

​Which branch is the most powerful?

Trick question!

No branch is more powerful than the other.

Each branch has their own responsibilities and are separate from one another.

​Checks and Balances

Checks and Balances is a principle in government that states that all branches of government have separate power. No single branch of government can overpower the other branches.

Review Time!