Three Branches of Three Branches of GovernmentGovernment

Chapter 10 Lesson 2Pages 398 - 403

ObjectivesObjectives

• Explain the purpose of the Constitution.

• Compare the powers and functions of the three branches of government.

PreamblePreamble

We the people of the United States,In order to form a more perfect Union,Establish justice, Insure domestic tranquility,Provide for the common defense,Promote the general welfare, andSecure the blessings of liberty to ourselves

and our posterity,Do ordain and establish this Constitution for

the United States of America.

PreamblePreamble

• The introduction to the Constitution states the purposes for writing it.

• The writers wanted to set up a fairer form of government.

• They wanted to secure peace & freedom for themselves and for future generations.

Written by Written by Gouverneur Gouverneur MorrisMorris

• First written:• “We the people of

the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, . . .”

• Changed to:• “We the People of

the United States”

• Wanted to show Americans were citizens of the nation first and of the states second.

Purpose of the Purpose of the ConstitutionConstitution

• Preamble explains basic functions of the U.S. government.

• Establish justice (fairness)• Ensure domestic tranquility (peace

within the country)• Provide the common defense

(defend the nation against enemies)

Purpose of the Purpose of the ConstitutionConstitution

• Must promote the general welfare (work for the common good of the nation)

• Secure liberty (freedom) for the nation’s people and future generations

Powers of the governmentPowers of the government

• The Constitution limits the powers of the government.

• The federal government is given power to govern the nation.

• But it protects the states and citizens from that power.

Why does the Preamble to Why does the Preamble to the Constitution mention the Constitution mention

liberty & justice?liberty & justice?

• The writers wanted to make sure the Constitution protected individual rights.

Three Branches of Three Branches of GovernmentGovernment

Legislative Executive JudicialLawmaking branchArticle I

Enforce lawsArticle II

Court SystemArticle III

Raising an army & navy

Veto, or reject, bills passed by Congress

Decide if laws are working fairly

Declaring war Commander in chief of the military

States had courts

Coining & printing money

Laws be faithfully executed

Federal Court cases: Constitution, treaties, National laws

Makes laws that control commerce, or trade

Decide cases between states

The Legislative BranchThe Legislative BranchTwo HousesTwo Houses

• House of Representatives

• Citizens vote • Depends on

population• Limited to 435

members• Oklahoma has ____• Serve 2 year terms

• Sentate• Citizens vote• Each state has 2

senators• Serve 6 year

terms

What are the main powers What are the main powers of Congress?of Congress?

• Make laws• Raise an army & navy• Declare war• Control commerce (trade)

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

• President of the United States• Citizens vote for electors, who vote

for the President• The group of electors is called The

Electoral College

Role of the PresidentRole of the President

• Must be 35 years of age• Been born in the United States• Must have lived in the U.S. for 14 years• Elected to a four year term• Can VETO (reject) bills passed by Congress• Head of the military (Commander and Chief)• MAIN POWER take care that the laws be

faithfully executed

IMPEACHIMPEACH

• What if the President does not do his duty?

• Congress could impeach the President

• Impeach – accuse the President of crimes.

• If found guilty, the President could be removed from office.

• Who was America's first President to be impeached?• Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth President of the

United States, held office from 1865 to 1869, but his term was almost shorter as he became the first American President to be impeached.

• In 1868 the House of Representatives impeached Andrew Johnson due to his views on the south and the Confederates, but he was acquitted by a single vote.

• The only other President to be impeached was Bill Clinton on December 19 1998 by the House of Representatives on grounds of perjury.

• Bill Clinton was also acquitted, there have not been any successful impeachments of American Presidents to this date.

• Richard Nixon was facing imminent impeachment but resigned before the proceedings took place.

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch

• This is the court system• Delegates created the Federal Court

System• Would decide cases that dealt with the

Constitution, treaties, and national laws• Also decide cases between states and

between citizens of different states.• MAIN POWER decide whether laws

are working fairly

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

• The highest court in the United States• It head the judicial branch• President would nominate Supreme Court

justices (judges)• Senate votes to approve them• Justices stay in office for life• This allowed them to make decisions

without worry of losing job• Today, there are 9 Supreme Court Justices

Power of Supreme CourtPower of Supreme Court

• They can strike down any law that goes against the Constitution

• Congress can only restore a law that has been struck down if they change the Constitution

• The government must apply laws equally to every person called rule of law

Changing the ConstitutionChanging the Constitution

• Delegates knew time may require the Constitution to be changed

• Agreed on a system for how citizens could add amendments – changes

AmendmentsAmendments

• Proposed by a two-thirds vote in Congress or

• By a national convention called for by two-thirds votes of the states and approved by Congress

• For amendment to pass: three-fourths of all the states must approve it

• This system gives representatives time they need to study an amendment

Separation of PowerSeparation of Power

• Separation of Powers – divides the powers of the federal government among three branches

• This keeps any one branch from controlling the government

Limits of PowerLimits of Power

• Supreme Court limits Congress by declaring laws unconstitutional

• Executive Branch limits Congress by vetoing bills passed by Congress

• Congress limits the Executive branch by override of a veto with a two-thirds vote, also they have the power to impeach

What branch is What branch is responsible for enforcing responsible for enforcing

laws?laws?

• The executive branch

What branch has the What branch has the power to approve the power to approve the

appointments of Supreme appointments of Supreme Court justices?Court justices?

• The legislative branch

What branch decides What branch decides whether laws are followed whether laws are followed

by Congress?by Congress?

• The judicial branch

What branch makes all What branch makes all national laws?national laws?

• The legislative branch

What branch has the What branch has the power to veto bills?power to veto bills?

• The executive branch

What branch has the What branch has the power to impeach the power to impeach the

President?President?

• The legislative branch

What does it mean that What does it mean that the United States of the United States of

America is a republic?America is a republic?

• It means the United States has a form of government in which the people elect representatives to govern the country.

Why are checks and Why are checks and balances important? balances important?

• It keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful.

How do they help each How do they help each branch of the federal branch of the federal

government make more government make more thoughtful decisions? thoughtful decisions?

• Each branch is encouraged to make more thoughtful decisions because its powers can be checked by the other branches.

What was the original What was the original purpose of the purpose of the

Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention of 1787? of 1787?

• To fix the Articles of Confederation

This is the official written This is the official written plan of government of the plan of government of the

U.S.? U.S.?

• Constitution

A form of government in A form of government in which people elect which people elect

representatives to govern representatives to govern the country.the country.

• republic

The system by which each The system by which each branch of government can branch of government can

limit the power of the limit the power of the other two branches.other two branches.

• Checks and Balances

What is the purpose of the What is the purpose of the Constitution according to Constitution according to

its Preamble?its Preamble?

• To create a fairer form of government

How can the legislative How can the legislative branch check the power of branch check the power of

the executive branch?the executive branch?

• Congress can override the President’s veto of a bill

How can the judicial How can the judicial branch check the power of branch check the power of

the legislative branch?the legislative branch?

• The Supreme Court can rule that a law passed by Congress is unconstitutional.

How can the executive How can the executive branch check the power of branch check the power of

the judicial branch?the judicial branch?

• The President nominates Supreme Court justices.

How can the judicial How can the judicial branch check the power of branch check the power of

the executive branch?the executive branch?

• The Supreme Court can rule that the President’s actions are unconstitutional.

How can the executive How can the executive branch check the power of branch check the power of

the legislative branch?the legislative branch?

• The President can veto a bill passed by Congress.