Branches of Government: How America's Government Works

Grade 5 · Social Studies · Study Guide

Discover the three branches of the U.S. government, what each one does, and how they keep each other in check.

The United States government is divided into three branches: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Founders set up this system on purpose so that no single person or group could ever have too much power. They called this the separation of powers, and they backed it up with a system of checks and balances — meaning each branch has specific powers to limit the others.

The Legislative Branch is Congress, which is divided into two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress makes the laws. There are 100 senators (two per state) and 435 representatives (the number varies by state population). Both chambers must agree on a bill before it goes to the President. Congress can also override a presidential veto if two-thirds of both chambers vote to do so. This is one important check Congress has over the Executive Branch.

The Executive Branch is led by the President, who is elected every four years and can serve a maximum of two terms. The President enforces and carries out laws, leads the military, and manages foreign policy. If the President disagrees with a law Congress passed, they can veto (reject) it. The President also nominates Supreme Court justices — a significant check on the Judicial Branch. The Judicial Branch is led by the Supreme Court, which has nine justices appointed for life. Its most important job is judicial review — deciding whether a law or government action is constitutional (follows the Constitution). If the Supreme Court says a law is unconstitutional, that law is struck down, even if Congress and the President both supported it.

Key terms

Legislative Branch

Congress (Senate + House of Representatives); makes laws.

Executive Branch

The President, Vice President, and Cabinet; enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court and lower federal courts; interprets laws and decides if they follow the Constitution.

Checks and balances

A system where each branch can limit the power of the others so no branch becomes too powerful.

Veto

The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress; Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority.

Judicial review

The Supreme Court's power to decide whether a law is constitutional; established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Bill

A proposed law introduced in Congress; it becomes a law if passed by both chambers and signed by the President.

Practice questions

1. Congress is made up of two parts — the Senate and the:

   1. Supreme Court
   2. Cabinet
   3. House of Representatives
   4. Electoral College
   Show answer

   Answer: House of Representatives

2. The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress is called a __________.

   Show answer

   Answer: veto

3. Supreme Court justices are elected by the American people every four years.

   Show answer

   Answer: False

4. Judicial review means the Supreme Court can declare a law to be:

   1. popular
   2. unconstitutional
   3. too expensive
   4. necessary
   Show answer

   Answer: unconstitutional

5. The purpose of checks and balances is to prevent any one branch from having too much power.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

Fun facts

• Supreme Court justices are appointed for life — this is intentional, so they can make decisions without worrying about losing their jobs for being unpopular.
• The President can veto a bill by sending it back to Congress unsigned with objections — but Congress can still pass it into law if two-thirds of both chambers vote to override.
• The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels — and the President's official office is called the Oval Office because of its distinctive oval shape.

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