Three Branches of Government

Global Issues

Constitution

• The US Constitution created three branches of government for the people.

• These branches are:– The Legislative Branch– The Executive Branch – The Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch

• The legislative branch of government was created by Article I of the Constitution.

• The main purpose of the legislative branch is to make and pass laws.

• The legislative branch is made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate.

• These two combined are known as Congress.

Legislative Continued

• The founders of the Constitution expected the Legislative Branch to be the most important branch of government, but feared if its power wasn’t clearly defined it could endanger liberty. So the Legislative branch was given expressed powers.

• Expressed Powers- Powers directly stated in the Constitution.

Legislative Continued

• Enumerated Powers- The powers listed in Article I Section 8 are called enumerated powers, because they are numbered 1-18.

• One of these enumerated powers is called the elastic clause.

• Elastic Clause- gives Congress the right to make any laws they seem necessary to carry out its other powers.– Allows Congress to stretch its power to meet new

situations the founders couldn’t anticipate.

The Executive Branch

• The executive branch of government was created by Article II of the Constitution

• The executive branch is in charge of making sure the law is put into practice and executed properly.

President

• The president is the head of the executive branch.

• The Constitution grants the president broad and vague powers.

• The president today has powers that are not mentioned in the Constitution, but some of his powers are mentioned.

The Judicial Branch

• The judicial branch was created by Article III of the Constitution.

• The judicial branch is in charge of interpreting the law. This is done by a court system.

• The judicial branch is at times a referee between the legislative and executive branches.

• There are two types of courts systems in the judicial branch.– Federal Courts (Supreme Court)– State Courts

Supreme Court

• The highest court in the US Government

• The supreme courts job is to interpret the Constitution.

• There are 9 supreme court justices

Cartoon Activity

• Some people use political cartoons as a way to say there is something they don’t like about the government or to point out something they feel is wrong or ironic.

• Your job is to create a cartoon that has something to do with something we have learned in this unit.

• You may use this activity to point out something you feel is wrong with the US government or you find funny.

• Feel free to use your creativity.

Cartoon Examples

Cartoon Examples

Cartoon Example

Cartoon Example

Cartoon Example