The United States Political System

The Branches of Government

Executive
President

Executive Legislative
President Congress

Executive Legislative Judicial
President Congress Courts

The Executive Branch

All executive power in the government is
vested in the President of the United States.

The President is both the head of state and government, as
well as the military commander-in-chief and chief diplomat.

The Vice President becomes President upon the death,
resignation, or removal of the President. Their only other duty is
to serve as President of the Senate and break any tied votes in
the Senate.

Lyndon Johnson was sworn in two hours after
Kennedy was assassinated.

The Cabinet
The Cabinet is chosen by the President and
approved with the \"advice and consent\" of the U.S.
Senate, are a council of advisers to the President.

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is Bicameral.
That means there are two houses.
Senate House of Representatives

The Senate is the Upper House.

Each state has two senators. There are 100
senators. They are elected every six years.

The House of Representatives
is the Lower House.

There are 435 members.
They are elected every two years.

The House and Senate are equal partners.
Legislation cannot be made without the
consent of both chambers.

The Judicial Branch

There are nine Supreme Court Judges. They are appointed by the President.
They only leave if they retire or die. It is the highest court in the land.

The System of
Checks and Balances

Executive
President
Legislative Judicial
Congress Courts

Why
…have checks and balances?

By creating three branches of government…

The Founding Fathers built a \"check and balance\" system into the
Constitution. This system was built so that no one branch of government could
become too powerful.