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The Three Branches of Government. Guiding Questions. What are the three branches of government? What are the primary responsibilities of each? Why does the U.S. Constitution provide for a separation of powers? How does the system of checks and balances work?. Introduction.
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The Three Branches of Government
Guiding Questions • What are the three branches of government? • What are the primary responsibilities of each? • Why does the U.S. Constitution provide for a separation of powers? • How does the system of checks and balances work?
Introduction • U.S. Constitution divides powers among three branches • “Separation of Powers” • Why was this done?
Separation of Powers • Limits government powers • Prevents any one branch from having too much power
Three Branches of Government • Legislative Branch • Executive Branch • Judicial Branch • What does each branch do?
Three Branches of Government • Legislative Branch – makes the nation’s laws • Executive Branch – carries out the laws • Judicial Branch – interprets the laws
3 Branches of Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch President & Vice President Congress Supreme Court Advisors & Appointees Senate House of Representatives Federal Court System
Legislative Branch • Article 1 of the Constitution • Congress – law-making branch • Two houses • Senate • House of Representatives
Executive Branch • Article 2 of the Constitution • Executes, or carries out, nation’s laws • President, Vice President, appointees & advisors
Judicial Branch • Article 3 of the Constitution • U.S. Supreme Court & federal court system • Interprets laws • Punishes law-breakers • Determines if laws are constitutional
Checks & Balances • Each branch has its own powers • Yet, no branch can become too powerful • How does the Constitution balance the powers?
Checks & Balances Each branch has powers to check,or limit, the powers of the other 2 branches
How does this work? • Congress has power to make laws • President has power to veto, or turn down, proposed laws • President can check power of Congress
Can Congress check the President’s power? • Congress can override, or pass a law over President’s veto • 2/3 majority vote in both houses needed
Is the Supreme Court involved in law-making? • Supreme Court can check the powers of Congress and the President • Interprets laws • Determines if laws are constitutional