Branches of Government
SS3CG1 The student will explain the importance of the basic
principles that provide the foundation of a republican form of
government.
a. Explain why in the United States there is a separation of power
between branches of government and levels of government.
b. Name the three levels of government (national, state, local) and
the three branches in each (executive, legislative, judicial),
including the names of the legislative branch (Congress, General
Assembly, county commission or city council).
c. State an example of the responsibilities of each level and branch
of government.
Let’s Review!
1. What is government?
Answer: A government is a group of people who
makes the law and runs a community.
2. What are examples of community?
Answer: city/town, state, country
3. What is the definition of citizen?
Answer: One who enjoys legally (lawfully) the
freedom and privileges of a city, state, or country.
To be a citizen, one needs to be born in the
country he/she lives in or has been naturalized by
the government of that country.
What form of government does the
United States have?
• U.S.A is a republic.
• A republic is a state or country where people
or citizens have the authority/right to decide
who they would like to lead them and their
government.
• So people in a republic form of government
choose their leaders/representatives by
voting.
Our Constitution ( highest set
of laws of our country)protects
our rights by limiting the
power of government
(nobody gets too powerful).
Our republic government has 3 branches
of equal power
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Watch a video on the
branches of
government.
Why do we have 3 branches of
government instead of one?
Reason 1: Each branch checks on the other two
if they do their job according to the
Constitution (law). Therefore, there will be no
or less abuse of power.
Is everybody
doing his job
right?
Why do we have 3 branches of
government instead of one?
Reason 2: The three branches balance
(even or equal) each power. Each branch
has different jobs to do, so things get
done easily and smoothly.
The Legislative Branch
• This branch is a group of representatives who
makes the laws. They can also amend (change
or add) the laws.
• They also plan on how to spend the
government funds (budget or money).
Who are the leaders in the Legislative
Branch?
Federal Level
U.S. Congress (Senate and
House of Representatives)
State Level
Georgia General Assembly
or State Legislature
(Georgia Senate and House
of Representatives)
Local Level
City Council or City
Commission
The Executive Branch
• This branch is a group of leaders who makes
sure that the laws are being done or
followed. The leaders carry out laws.
• “Execute” means to make something happen;
to enforce or to carry out.
Who are the leaders in the Executive
Branch?
Federal Level
President
State Level
Governor
Local Level
Mayor or City
Manager
The Judicial Branch
• This branch is a group of justices (like judges)
that interprets (or explains) the Constitution
(laws).
• The justices make sure that the new laws
made by the legislative branch are not against
the Constitution.
• They decide on major court cases.
Who are the leaders in the Judicial
Branch?
Federal Level
U.S. Supreme Court Chief
Justice and Justices
State Level
Georgia Supreme Court
Justices
Local Level
None
City Judges do not decide if
the new city laws are
constitutional or not.
How does each branch check and
balance each other?
• The president appoints judges and justices.
• The Congress (legislative branch) can remove
the President from office (impeach). They also
approve whom the president chooses or
appoints for office.
How does each branch check and
balance each other?
The Executive Branch…
1. The President appoints or chooses
judges and justices (judicial branch).
2. The president, governor and mayor
(executive branch) can veto (or say no)
to a new law set by the legislative
branch.
I appoint or choose the
Chief Justice and the
Justices of the Supreme
Court. I can also veto (or
say no) the new laws
made by Congress.
How does each branch check and
balance each other?
The Congress (legislative branch) …
1. can remove the President from office
(impeach).
2. approves whom the president chooses
or appoints for office.
3. can remove judges and justices from
office.
We can remove the
president from office.
We can override his
veto if there is
enough of us voting
against it. Also, we
have to approve
whom the president
chooses for office.
How does each branch check and
balance each other?
The Judicial branch (Justices)
1. can declare acts done by the president
unconstitutional (against the law).
2. can declare new laws made by Congress
unconstitutional.
We can declare acts done by the
president and laws made by Congress
unconstitutional.
1. Let’s watch the video
again and complete the
worksheet.
2. Complete Study Guide.
3. Let’s have an election!