THREE BRANCHES OF THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT
The International High School at Lafayette
American History
Mr.Joel
Unit 1—The Constitution
Shahlo Sharopova & Darlyn Rodriguez
INTRODUCTION
The Constitution of the United Stated was signed on September 17,
1787. In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Our new Constitution is now
established and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this
world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes". He meant
that the new governments' survival depends on their upholding the
principles of the Constitution. The framers of the Constitution wanted a
government that was strong enough, but not so strong that it endangered
citizens' freedom. So they organized it very carefully. The Constitution has
three parts, and the second part, the articles, establishes how the
government is structured. (Doc.1)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The former colonies did not want to have a government similar to the
Great Britain’s government system—a monarchy. Dividing the government
into three branches set up a strong central government, and also
distributed power. The system of checks and balances ensured that no
branch became too powerful. Each branch can limit the power of another.
(Doc.1)
The Constitution has seven articles. The first three lay out the
structures and powers of the three parts of the government. In the
Constitutional Convention, on May, 1787, an Enlightenment thinker Baron
de Montesquieu favored a three-part government with separation of
powers between three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Legislative branch is made up of the Senate (six-year terms) and the
House of Representatives (two-year terms). Their job is to make the laws
for our country. The Senate has 100 Members, two from each state. The
Senate can approve presidential appointments, ratify treaties and conduct
trial of the president after impeachment. The House of Representatives is
made up of 435 members. A state that has a big population will have
many representatives. The House of Representatives can propose tax
laws and impeach the president. Common powers of the Senate and the
House of Representatives are to propose and pass laws, declare war,
override the president's veto with a two-thirds vote. (Doc.1&2)
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The executive branch of government makes sure that the laws of the
United States are obeyed. The President (four-year term) of the United
States is the head of the executive branch of government. This branch is
very large so the President gets help from the Vice President, department
heads (Cabinet members), and heads of other agencies. The President
can approve or veto laws, conduct U.S. foreign relations and makes
treaties with foreign governments, nominate cabinet members,
ambassadors, and federal judges, serve as commander in chief of the U.S.
armed forces, prepare the federal government's budget. The Vice
President serves as president of the Senate and assumes the presidency if
the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office. Other executive
officials, departments, and agencies advise the president and enforce
laws. (Doc.1&2)
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
The judicial branch of government is made up of the court system. The
Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Courts decide arguments
about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break
the rules of the Constitution. Federal judges serve for life, unless removed
for misconduct. Other lower courts under The Supreme Court are U.S.
Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts, State Supreme Courts, Lower State
Courts and other federal courts. (Doc.1&2)
CONCLUSION
As "The Father of the Constitution", James Madison has said: "The
accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the
same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-
appointed, or elected, may justly be pronounced the very definition of
tyranny." Therefore, the Constitution establishes a system of checks and
balances to maintain balance within the US Government! (Doc.3)
WORKS CITED
Document 1 – “History Alive” p. 73 – 81
Document 2 – “Three Branches of Government”
(evgschool.org/three_branches_of_government.htm)
Document 3 – U.S. Government. The balance of Power.
(http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110221)
