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.

Lets 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

Executi
ve

Legisla
tive

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)
City Council or City
Commission

Local Level

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. Lets watch the video

again and complete the
worksheet.
2. Complete Study
Guide.
3. Lets have an
election!