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!