Government/Civic Understandings 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.
Our Government
•Our government was formed to keep us safe and protect our rights. In order for no one person to have too much power, the
U.S. Constitution was written requiring that there be a separation of powers in the government.
•There are three different branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Each branch is responsible for making
sure that the other branches stay in balance and do not abuse their powers. This provides a system of checks and balances.
•The Executive Branch:
•carries out the laws
•can veto laws
•appoints judges and other officials
•Commander in Chief of the military
•The Legislative Branch:
•makes laws
•can impeach the President
•may override Presidential vetoes
•power to declare war
•Senate approves federal judges
•The Judicial Branch
•decides is a law is unconstitutional
•decides if laws have been broken
Our Government
•There are three different levels for each branch of government: federal, state, and local. Each level of government has its own
elected officials who have specific jobs to do.
•Federal government is in charge of writing and enforcing laws for the people in our entire nation. The people of the United
States elect a president, senators, and representatives to handle business that affects the whole country.
•State government is in charge of writing and enforcing laws for all the people within one state. The people of the state elect a
governor and representatives who handle business for the state.
•Local government is the level that is closest to your community. The mayor and city council members pass laws that affect the
city and the people who live there.
Branches of Government
Levels of Government
Separation of Powers
Executive
carries out laws
Legislative
makes laws
Congress
(U.S. Senate and U.S. House of
Representatives)
Judicial
decides what laws mean
Federal
(United States)
President
State
(Georgia)
Governor
General Assembly
(State Senate and State House of
Representative)
State Supreme Court
Local
(Augusta)
Mayor
County Commissioner
County Commission
City Council
Augusta-Richmond County
Court
U.S. Supreme Court