2. Lesson Outcomes
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to the following:
• Identify the three branches of the federal government
• Compare responsibilities given to each branch
• Analyze Supreme Court cases
• Evaluate the system of Checks and Balances
Note: Before you get started with this lesson, you will want to print off a
graphic organizer to help you organize your thoughts. Simply click on the
link below and select the graphic organizer tab. Graphic Organizer
4. Legislative Branch
• The Legislative Branch is divided into two parts.
o This is called a bicameral legislature (two-parts)
o The Senate
o The House of Representatives
o The Legislative Branch is also known as Congress
• Responsibilities:
o Pass bills into laws (Main job)
o Coin money
o Declare war
o Amend the constitution
5. The Senate
Members: 100 Senators
• The number of senators is a set number for each state and is not based on
population.
• Each state has 2 senators
• This allows each state to have equal representation in the Senate.
Constitutional Requirements of Senators
• Must be at least 30 yrs old
• Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 yrs
• Must be a resident of the state in which he or she was elected Serve for 6 yrs
Special Powers
• Approve treaties
• Hold impeachment trials
6. House of Reps
Members: 435 Representatives
• The number of representatives is based on population.
• The more people living a state, the more representatives that state will have in the House.
• Each member represents a specific district in his or her state.
Constitutional Requirements of Representatives
• Must be at least 25 yrs old
• Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7yrs
• Must be a resident of the state in which he or she was elected
• Serve for 2 yrs
Special Powers
• Can start the impeachment process
• Deal with bills that involve government spending
8. Judicial Branch
Responsibilities:
• Interprets laws to determine whether or not they are constitutional
• Supervises all federal courts
The Supreme Court:
• The highest court in the United States
• Consists of 9 justices
Powers:
• Can declare laws passed by Congress as unconstitutional
• Can overrule court decisions made by lower courts
Constitutional Requirements:
• There are no constitutional requirements to become a justice
• Justices are appointed by the President
• Can serve for life unless impeached
9. Judicial Branch
Supreme Court Cases: Over the years, there have been several U.S.
Supreme Court decisions that have changed America. Please review the
following cases:
• Brown v. Board
• Miranda v. Arizona
• Roe v. Wade
• Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeirer
Food for Thought: As you review these cases, ask yourself, “How has my life
been impacted by these cases?”
Website:http://www.streetlaw.org/en/landmark/home
11. Executive Branch
• The Executive Branch consists of three parts:
o The President
• Leader of the country
o Vice President
• Assists the President and presides over the Senate
o Cabinet Members
• Advise the President on important issues
• Act as heads of executive departments such as the Department
of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security
• Responsibility:
o Enforce laws passed by Congress
12. The President
Responsibilities:
• Meets with foreign leaders
• Signs bills into law
• Leads the U.S. Armed Forces
• Gives the “State of the Union” Address
• Grants pardons
Constitutional Requirements:
• Must be a natural born citizen
• Must be at least 35 years old
• Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years
• Serves for one term (4 years)
• Cannot serve for more than two terms (8 years)
13. Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances:
• The purpose of “Checks and Balances” is to prevent one branch of the
federal government from gaining too much power
• Each branch has the ablility to limit the powers of the other branches.
Legislative Branch:
• Checks on the Executive Branch:
oCan override a President’s veto
• Checks on the Judicial Branch
oApproves judges appointed to the Supreme Court
14. Checks and Balances cont.
Judicial Branch:
• Checks on the Legislative Branch:
o Can declare laws unconstitutional
• Checks on the Executive Branch:
o Can declare Presidential acts unconstitutional
Executive Branch:
• Checks on the Legislative Branch:
o Can veto a bill passed by Congress
• Checks on the Judicial Branch:
o Can appoint Judges
Note:
The diagram on the following page will help you better understand how “Checks and
Balances” works.
15. Checks and Balances Diagram
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Separation_of_Powers.jpg
16. Review Questions
Without looking at your notes, can you answer the following questions?
1. What are the three branches of the Federal Government?
2. What is the main responsibility of the Legislative Branch?
3. How does the President check the power of the Judicial Branch?
4. What is the highest court in the United States?
5. What is the purpose of Checks and Balances?
Note: Please complete the quiz on the next page.
17. Other Resources
• Video: Please watch the video below for more details on the “Three
Branches of Government”.
o Three Branches Video
• Quiz: Once you have watched the video, please complete the quiz and
email me your results to rcall@mivu.org. Please make sure you select the
“Classic Quiz”.
o Three Branches Quiz
18. Work Cited
Jackson, Lawrence. (2009). Joint Session [Photo], Retrieved October 28, 2014, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_session_of_the_United_States_Congress
Dbking, David. (2005). U.S. Supreme Court [Photo], Retrieved October 28, 2014, from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/37621686/
Wade, Matt. (2006). White House [Photo], Retrieved October 28, 2014, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG
Separation of Powers. (2013). Retrieved October 28, 2014, from:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Separation_of_Powers.jpg
