The Three Branches
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
What are the two parts of Congress?
The House of Representatives and The Senate
Who is the leader of the Executive Branch?
The president
What does the Judicial Branch do with laws?
It makes sure laws are fair and used correctly.
Who ruled America before it became indpendent?
The King of England
Why did America create the three branches of government?
To make sure no one part of the government becomes too powerful.
How often are members of the House of Representatives elected?
Every two years
Where does the president live and work?
In the White House in Washington D.C.
What is the name of the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
Why were the American colonists unhappy with the King of England?
They had no say in how the government was run.
It sets up the structure and rules for how the government works.
How many senators does each state have?
two
What is the Vice President's main job?
To take over if something happens to the president.
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
one Chief Justice and eight other justices
What did America do to gain it's independence from England?
They fought England in a war.
What happens when one branch gets too powerful?
The other branches can check it to keep balance.
What is it called when the government counts how many people live in each state every 10 years?
a census
What is one job of the Executive Office of the President?
To advise the president to speak to the public.
What does it mean when a law is called "unconstitutional"?
What did citizens want to make sure didn't happen after winning the war?
That one person or group didn't get too much power.
What is it called when branches make sure the others are doing their jobs?
Checks and Balances
Why do bigger states have more representatives than smaller states?
Because they have more people to represent.
What is the Cabinet and what do its members do?
A group of people chosen by the president to lead departments like education and transportation
What is the difference between the Supreme Court and smaller local courts?
The Supreme Court handles big cases, and smaller courts handle local cases.
How does having three branches of government hep protect the rights of citizens?
Each branch shares the power and keeps the others in check.