7b Three Branches of Government

Master the 3 Branches of Government! Learn President, Congress, Supreme Court roles. Fun worksheet!

Use textbook pages 112-113 to fill in the blanks. The development of the Constitution of the United States was significant to the foundation of the American republic. The U.S. Constitution divides power among the three branches of government. Each branch has the ability to limit the power of the other two branches, so one branch doesn't abuse its power. Executive Branch Who heads the Executive Branch? President Who is the President helped by? Vice-President How many years is one term in office? Four What is the name of the president's advisors? Cabinet What is the branches main job? Laws of the nation are enforced The president picks members of what court? Supreme What is the president commander of? Armed forces What can the president ask Congress to do? Declare war What is the main building for the president? White House Legislative Branch What is another name for the Legislative Branch? Congress What is the main job of Congress? Passing new laws What many "houses" makes up Congress? Two What house has 2 Senators per state? Senate What house has the number of members based on the state's population? House of Representatives How many years are in a Senator's term? Six How many years are in a House of Representatives term? Two What do both houses do? Write laws for the country and vote to decide if these ideas will become law. Who votes on treaties with other countries? Senators What is the main building for Congress? Capitol Judicial Branch What is the name of the highest court of the Judicial Branch? Supreme Court What is the main job of the Judicial Branch? Reviewing laws that may go against the Constitution How many judges does the Supreme Court have? Nine Who selects the Supreme Court justices? President Who approves the Supreme Court justices? Senate How long do Supreme Court justices serve? As long as they want What cases do the Supreme Court hear? Brought by people who want to appeal a lower court ruling that went against them What else does the Supreme Court interpret? Laws that Congress passes What does the Supreme Court review? Laws that might be unconstitutional What is the main building for the Supreme Court? Supreme Court Building The final draft of the Constitution was written in 1787, and had to be ratified by at least nine of the thirteen states before it could go into effect. Checks and Balances A system of checks and balances keeps any one branch from having too much power. The president can veto laws the legislative branch writes. The president picks justices for the Supreme Court. Justices decide if the president is acting within the Constitution. Justices decide if laws agree with the Constitution. Senators vote to approve or reject Supreme Court justices. If 2 of Congress agree, then they can override a president's veto.