United States Government and Constitution Overview

Study Notes

Mira Kramer's question: Who owns the power to make and enforce laws in the United States? This question is often overlooked as we typically think of power being held by the president, but the president is only a part of the complex system of power.
After the American Revolution ended in 1783, the founding fathers debated how to build a strong and just government that protected individual freedoms without becoming tyrannical.
When the new Constitution was drafted in 1787, it established a government separated into three branches, each with its own distinct powers.
- The legislative branch, as described in the first part of the Constitution, consists of the U.S. Congress, with 100 Senators and 435 Representatives responsible for making and passing laws.
- The executive branch, described in the second part of the Constitution, is headed by the president and his cabinet, responsible for implementing the laws passed by Congress.
- The judicial branch, as described in the third part of the Constitution, consists of all the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, responsible for interpreting and enforcing laws.
The legislative branch is responsible for drafting and passing laws, and it is the foundation for the U.S. government, as it is outlined first in the Constitution.
The executive branch, headed by the president, is responsible for enforcing the laws and also appoints federal officials and ambassadors. The president can also declare war and make treaties with foreign countries.
The judicial branch, consisting of federal courts from the Supreme Court to lower courts, is responsible for interpreting laws and ensuring that they are constitutional. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and settles disputes between states and federal courts.
The U.S. government, as established by the Constitution, is a complex system of checks and balances, with each branch having distinct powers to ensure no one branch becomes too powerful.
The Constitution also outlines the process for electing officials, providing opportunities for citizen participation in government, and allowing for the possibility of joining government as a juror, a Congressional investigator, or a member of Congress.
The U.S. government, in its entirety, employs approximately four million people to ensure it functions smoothly and effectively.

Description

Learn about the structure of the United States government and the powers of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Understand the system of checks and balances to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful and the opportunities for citizen participation outlined in the Constitution.