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Checks, Balances, and Branches

How our government is structured

Core Idea
REMEMBER: Americas first government (the Articles of Confederation) failed because power wasnt equal. The Founding Fathers were very concerned about one group getting too much power. To ensure power remained equal, they wrote a system of checks and balances. A check is something which stops a branch of government from getting too powerful and balance is the result.

Quick Write
The video lists several ways the system of checks and balances works in our government. Describe at least two (2) ways this system of checks and balances occurs. As always, make sure you are writing full paragraphs with complex/compound sentences.

Three Branches of Government


Part of ensuring power was balanced, the Constitution sets up three branches of government. Legislative - Writes and votes on bills Congress is the main body of the legislative branch Executive - Signs and enforces laws The President, and their advisors, is the main body of this branch Judicial - Interprets the law The Supreme Court is the highest body of this branch

Powers of the Legislature


Some of the powers of the legislature are: - Create (or levy) taxes - Declare War - Create laws - Impeach the President - Control where money is spent (House of Representatives only) - Approve Executive appointments (Senate only)

Kentuckys Legislators

Senator Mitch McConnell

Senator Rand Paul

Representative John Yarmuth

Powers of the Executive


The Executive Branch includes the President but, also, all of his cabinet members and advisors. In total there are 15 cabinet members and departments. Well talk about 5: The President - Acts as Commander in Chief, signs bills into law or uses veto Vice-President - Presides over the Senate Secretary of State - Handles relations with foreign nations and advises the President on the same Secretary of Treasury - Formulates and proposes economic policy to the President Department of Justice - Led by the Attorney General, enforces federal law across the country

Executive Branch Members

President Barack Obama

Vice President Joe Biden

Secretary of State John Kerry

Secretary Attorney of General Treasury Eric Jack Lew Holder

Judicial Branch
The last branch is the Judicial Branch whose highest body is the Supreme Court. Technically the judicial branch includes all federal courts. The Supreme Court contains 9, unelected, judges whose sole job is to interpret whether or not laws break the Constitution. The Judges are nominated by the Executive Branch and approved by the Legislative. They serve for life assuming good behavior.

Supreme Court

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