US Constitution: Who has the power?
Names:_____________________________
Part 1: Predictions and Prior Knowledge
1) Our government is divided into three parts. These parts are:
1)
2)
3)
2) Based on what you and your shoulder partner know about our government, write which branch of
government has the following responsibilities:
_______
a) Declare war against another country
_______
b) Command the army and navy
_______
c) Make sure all laws are enacted/enforced
_______
d) Punish pirates
_______
e) Writes/passes laws
_______
f) Borrows money from other countries
_______
g) Appoints ambassadors to represent the U.S. in other countries
_______
h) Decides court cases against individuals and governments within the U.S.
Part 2: Explore the Constitution
The Constitution is a legal document that outlines how our government works. It is the highest law in the land
and no government official can go against it. With your partner, look through the Constitution and answer the
below questions.
1) Draw a line matching which Article of the Constitution gives rules for which branch of government.
Article 1
The President
Article 2
Courts
Article 3
Congress
2) Write which branch of government has the power to carry out these important jobs in our country. Be
sure to include which article and section of the Constitution describes this action.
a) Declares war
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
b) Commands the army
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
c) Enforces laws
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
d) Punishes pirates
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
e) Writes laws
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
f) Borrows money
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
g) Appoints ambassadors
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
h) Decides court cases
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
i) Makes treaties with other countries
Branch of Gov: ___________________________
Article: ____________
Section: ___________
j) Print money
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
k) Pardon criminals
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: _______________________________
Section: ___________
l) Receive foreign ambassadors
Article: ____________
Branch of Gov: __________________________
Section: ___________
3) The Amendments. Explore the summarized Amendments to the Constitution to answer these
questions:
a.) In what year did women gain the right to vote? _____________
b.) History math: For how many years was alcohol illegal in the US? Show your math!
___________________________________________________________________
c.) Name the five freedoms outlined in the First Amendment: ____________________,
____________________, ____________________, ____________________,____________________.
4) Does anything about the above responsibilities surprise you? Does it change how you look at our
government? Explain.
Extra Credit: Where in the Constitution does it state the following:
1) The Vice President takes power of the Presidency if the President is removed from office, dies or
cannot fulfill his duties.
Article: _________________ Section: __________________
2) The President can be impeached or removed from office if he is convicted (found guilty of)
__________________________, ________________________ or other
_____________________________.
Article: _________________ Section: __________________