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Published byJames Clement McCormick Modified over 9 years ago
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The 3 Branches AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
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3 Branches The American Constitution outlines a three branch government, which was a departure from the one branch system in the Articles of Confederation The three branches include: Legislative Branch Bicameral- Senate and House of Representatives Executive Branch Judicial Branch
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Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch is made up of two houses The Senate is the senior or more prestigious house. There are two Senators for each state. The House of Representatives is the junior house and representation is determined by the population of each state
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The Legislature Expressed and Enumerated- 5 deal with economic legislation Taxes, borrowing money, regulate commerce (commerce clause), coin money, punish counterfeiting 7 provide for defense Punish piracies, to declare war, raise and support armed forces, to call forth the militia, and to organize the militia 5 of the rules outline such things as Naturalizing citizens, establishing post offices, securing patents and copyrights, establishing courts, and governing the District of Columbia.’ And finally the Elastic clause
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The Legislature The legislative branch of government was designed to be the focal point of American government The legislative branch’s primary job is to pass laws
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The Executive The president has broad but vague powers. “The executive shall be vested in a President of the United States of America” The main role of the President to faithfully execute the laws passed through the legislature This position was created due to the weaknesses inherent in the Articles of Confederation
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Powers of the Executive Specific Powers Commander in chief of the armed forces and state militias Appoints (with approval) heads of executive departments May pardon people convicted of federal crimes Makes treaties with consent of Senate Appoints ambassadors, federal judges, and other top officials with Senate consent. Delivers an annual State of the Union address Calls Congress into special sessions Meets with Heads of State, Ambassadors, and other foreign officials. Commissions military officers Ensure that the laws Congress passes are “faithfuly executed”
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The Judicial Branch There are two different court systems in the United States. One system consists of the federal courts, whose powers are derived from the Constitution and federal law. The second includes the courts from each of the 50 states whose powers derive from state law and constitutions.
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The Unwritten Constitution Unwritten Constitution The unwritten Constitution consists of traditions, precedents, and practices incorporated into our form of government that add to the Constitutions elasticity and its viability i.e. political parties, the presidents cabinet, political action committees, and the federal bureaucracy are important examples
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Checks and Balances
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