History-Social Science Content Standards

8.2 Students analyze the political principles underlying the U.S. Constitution and compare the enumerated and implied powers of the federal government.
8.2.6 Enumerate the powers of government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of rights. 8.2.7 Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights..

English Language Arts: 7th & 8th

7 W 1.3 Use strategies of notetaking, outlining, and summarizing to impose structure on composition drafts. Use word meanings within the appropriate context and show ability to verify those meanings by definition, restatement, example, comparison, or contrast.

8 R 1.3

IV. The Three Branches

Essential Question
Explain how the 3 branches of govt work?

Principles of The Constitution

U.S. GOVERNMENT

Where does power come from in this system of government?

Who is power given to?

Popular Sovereignty
1. We the People - the government is powered by the people. 2. The people express their power by voting for their political representatives.

3. Majority rule - when the decisions of the majority of the people lead and rule the country.

Federalism
1. Dual Sovereignty - power is divided between the

a. state governments (power to establish schools, control marriage practices)

b. federal government (power to trade, declare war, create money)

Separation of Powers
The Celebrated Montesquieu 1. Since kings have all the powers of government they are often too powerful and sometimes corrupt. 2. Governments should divide the powers among different branches so that no one branch has too much power.

The Article King 2 3 1 Legislative Executive The Judicial King Branch makes, Branch Branch President Congress Supreme enforces, enforces makes Court and Interprets interprets the laws. the laws.

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Article 1 Legislative Branch Congress makes the laws.

Article 2 Executive Branch President enforces the laws.

Article 3 Judicial Branch Supreme Court interprets the laws.

This separation of powers is how the three articles in the Constitution are organized.
Article I The Legislative Branch Article II The Executive Branch Article III The Judicial Branch

Checks and Balances

1. No one branch should have enough power to control the other branches.

2. Each branch has a way to check (limit) the power of the other branches.

Executive Branch (President)

IMPEACHMENT

VETO LAWS

JUDICIAL REVIEW

Legislative Branch (Congress)

APPOINT JUDGES

JUDICIAL REVIEW IMPEACHMENT

Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Article I:

The House of Representatives

a. b. c. d. e. f. elected by the people to a 2 year term Must be 25 years old 7 years a citizen Live in the state you are elected 435 people serve in the House They: 1) Make laws 2) All tax bills begin here 3) bring impeachment charges

The Senate
a. b. c. d. e. f. elected by the people to a 6 year term Must be 30 years old 9 years a citizen Live in the state you are elected 100 people serve in the Senate (2 per state) They 1) Make laws 2) ratify (approve) treaties 3) must advise and consent on presidential appointments. 4) Hear impeachment cases

What is Impeachment?

oThe process used by the legislative branch to bring charges of wrongdoing against a public official. oPresidents and Judges can be removed by Congress for treason, bribery, high crimes, and misdemeanors.

Article II:

The President
a. elected by the electoral college to a 4 year term b. Must be 35 years old c. 14 year resident and born a citizen d. 1 person serves as President e. He (or she) 1) Enforces laws 2) Commands the military 3) Appoints judges / officials 4) Vetoes laws

Essential Question

Explain how the 3 branches of govt work?

Article III:

The Supreme Court

a. Appointed by the president for a lifelong term b. Any age c. Citizenship not required d. 9 justices serve in the Court e. They 1) Interpret the laws 2) Judicial review (throw out unconstitutional laws.)

Supreme Court decisions are

FINAL!!!
They cannot be appealed.

All three branches do something with the law:

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch Makes laws Enforces laws Interprets laws

So how are laws made anyway?

H. How a Bill becomes a Law

1. Step 1: a bill is proposed in either house of congress. 2. Step 2: it is sent to a committee for discussion and revision. 3. Step 3: it is sent back to the original house for a vote. 4. Step 4: if passed, it is sent to the other house for a vote. 5. Step 5: if passed, it goes to the President. 6. Step 6: The President can either sign it OR veto (reject) it. 7. Step 7: Congress can overide a veto with a 2/3 vote in each house.

Part IV