The Three Branches
How It All Started
The Delegates at the Constitutional Convention (the meeting where the founding fathers created
the Constitution) wanted a division in the power within the federal government. They wanted it to be
fair and not have just one man controlling everything.The Delegates were afraid that if a small group or
one person had a lot of control, they would end up under the rule of another unfair tyrant. To avoid this
problem, the Delegates divided the Government into three branches, the executive branch, the
legislative branch, and the judicial branch.
The Three Branches of Government
There are Three Branches in the Government. Here’s more about each of them.
Legislative Branch- The Legislative Branch is made of the Congress and government agencies. Some
government agencies are the Government Printing Office and the Library of Congress, that give
assistance and support services for the Congress. Congress has two sections to it, the House of
Representatives and the Senate.The first article of the Constitution established this branch and gave
Congress the ability to create laws. The house of representatives has two jobs: it starts laws that make
people pay taxes, and it decides if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if they commit a
crime against the country.
Executive Branch- The Executive Branch of the government makes sure that the laws of the United
States are obeyed. The president (Barack Obama) is the head of the executive branch. This branch if
very big so the president needs help from, the Vice President and others.
Judicial Branch- The Judicial Branch is made of the court system. The Supreme Court is the most
important court in the land. Article 3 of the Constitution established the Supreme Court and any other
Federal courts were created by Congress. Courts debate over the meaning of laws, how they are
applied, and whether they break the rules of the Constitution. They also decide these arguments.
People Serving in the Branches
The Legislative BranchRon Barber
Suzan DelBene
Donna Edwards
The Executive BranchBarack Obama
Joe Biden
The Judicial BranchElena Kagen
Sonia Sotomayor
Samuel Alito
John Roberts
The Reason For Branches
The Three Branches are very important to the
United States today. Without them, we wouldn’t have laws.
We wouldn’t have someone to keep criminals in line. There
wouldn’t be anybody to keep this country in control. The
United States wouldn’t have laws or jails. Many people
would die each day. This is why if this country was without
the Judicial, Executive, and Legislative Branches, we would
be in very much trouble.
Our Source Page
http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members.aspx
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html
http://www.congressforkids.net/
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-biden