The Three Branches
By Lydia Krage and Camden Cavill
Our Government
The three branches include the Judicial, Executive, and Legislative branches. They make up our American Government. Without them, our country would be in chaos. Together, they balance each other out to make sure that our country is run smoothly and equally.
The Capitol Building
Here is where the congress meets. The congress makes up the Legislative Branch. Congress includes both the Senate and House of Representatives.
The White House
This is where the Executive Branch is held. The President lives here and meets with the Cabinet and Executive Officers in this building.
The Supreme Courthouse
This is where the Judicial Branch is held. It is made up of the Supreme Courts and other State courts below it.
Executive Branch
Purpose
The purpose of the executive branch is to carry out the law.
Powers
President- the president is head of state and the USA and is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
Vice President- the Vice President is ready at moments notice to assume Presidency if the President is unable to perform his duties.
The Cabinet- an advisory board made up of 15 executive departments that run the major federal agencies.
Executive Office of the President- helps President govern efficiently, their duties ranging from commuting the President’s message to promoting trade in other countries
Vice President- the Vice President is ready at moments notice to assume Presidency if the President is unable to perform his duties.
The Cabinet- an advisory board made up of 15 executive departments that run the major federal agencies.
Executive Office of the President- helps President govern efficiently, their duties ranging from commuting the President’s message to promoting trade in other countries
Background
This branch was not included in the Articles of Confederation. This was because the people feared the government would become like a tyranny if the was one person in charge. It was later added to the Constitution after the people realized that the power in the government could be balanced with other branches.
Legislative Branch
Purpose
The purpose of the Legislative Branch is to make the law.
Powers
House of Representatives- made up of 435 members divided among 50 states and they initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect President in the case of a tie.
Senate- composed of 100 senators, 2 for each state. They confirm the President’s appointments and ratify treaties.
Senate- composed of 100 senators, 2 for each state. They confirm the President’s appointments and ratify treaties.
Background
This was the only branch included in the Articles of Confederation, mainly because it is the branch that gives the most power to the people. The people feared a strong central government also, so most power was in the state governments. After a while these citizens realized that the government was not properly running, so they included it in their new Constitution.
Judicial Branch
Purpose
The purpose of the Judicial Branch is to apply and interpret the law.
Powers
The Supreme Court- interprets the law to decide how it’s relevant to a set of facts or how a law should be applied.
*There are other courts that come below the Supreme Courts, but they are not deemed necessary in the Constitution, only the Supreme Courts are.
*There are other courts that come below the Supreme Courts, but they are not deemed necessary in the Constitution, only the Supreme Courts are.
Background
It was not included in the Articles of Confederation, but was first introduced into the Constitution to give people justice when it comes to interpreting the law in certain situations when it becomes unclear.