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The Three Branches of Government
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Introduction

• U.S. Constitution divides powers among three
  branches
• Separation of Powers
• Why was this done?

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Separation of Powers

• Limits government powers
• Prevents any one branch from having too much power

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Three Branches of Government

• Legislative Branch
• Executive Branch
• Judicial Branch
• What does each branch do?

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Three Branches of Government

• Legislative Branch makes the nations laws
• Executive Branch carries out the laws
• Judicial Branch interprets the laws

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Legislative Branch

• Article 1 of the Constitution
• Congress law-making branch
• Two houses
• Senate
• House of Representatives

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Executive Branch

• Article 2 of the Constitution
• Executes, or carries out, nations laws
• President, Vice President, appointees advisors

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Judicial Branch

• Article 3 of the Constitution
• U.S. Supreme Court federal court system
• Interprets laws
• Punishes law-breakers
• Determines if laws are constitutional

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Checks Balances

• Each branch has its own powers
• Yet, no branch can become too powerful
• How does the Constitution balance the powers?

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Checks Balances

• Each branch has powers to check, or limit, the
  powers of the other 2 branches

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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

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Can Congress check the Presidents power?

• Congress can override, or pass a law over
  Presidents veto
• 2/3 majority vote in both houses needed

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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

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Do you want to know more?

• Check out these sites
• Bens Guide to Government http//bensguide.gpo.go
  v/
• Congress for Kids http//www.congressforkids.net/
  Constitution_threebranches.htm

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Review

• 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?

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