The Three Branches of theU.S. Government

Executive

Legislative Judicial

The ConstitutionIn 1787 in Philadelphia, delegates from the 13 original states met to improve upon the existing U.S. government. In the process, they wrote The Constitution of the United States, the document that created the three-branch system of government that has lasted for over 200 years with few but important changes.

The law of the Land• United States Constitution- the foundation and framework

for our laws and the government.– It gives us our freedoms and rights.– It is the framework for our government.– It is the foundation for our laws.

Bill of RightsThe first ten additions, or amendments, to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. This lists the freedoms and rights guaranteed to

every American such as freedom of speech, right to counsel, and freedom

of religion.

Federal System

A federal government shares

powers between the national, state,

and local levels such as counties, cities, and school

districts.

While each level has certain powers, all

levels must first obey the

Constitution.

Executive Branch

The executive branch of government enforces and carries out the laws. The president is the leader of the executive branch and the head of state for the

U.S. government.

President Barack Obama

Legislative Branch

House of Representatives – based on state population Senate – 2 for each state

The legislative branch makes the laws. The U.S. legislature is called Congress, and has two parts – the

House of Representatives and the Senate. Representatives serve 2 year terms, and senators

serve 6 year terms.

Judicial BranchThe judicial branch is the system of courts that settles

disputes over the law. They also decide whether laws are legal under the Constitution, called judicial review. The U.S.

Supreme Court is the highest court in this branch.

Supreme Court – 9 justices (judges)

Checks and BalancesEach branch has some powers over and under the other branches so that no one branch is more powerful. This

is called the system of checks and balances.

Review Quiz1. The ________________ established our system of government.2.The __________________ guarantees our rights and freedoms.3.The ___________ system shares power between national, state, and local levels of government.4.Each branch has ___________________ over the other two branches so no one branch is more powerful.5.Who enforces the laws?6.Who settles disputes over laws?7.Who creates laws?8.Name the two parts of congress (One)9.Name the two parts of congress (One)10.How many supreme court justices are there?