The Structure of the National Government

The Framers thought the best way to protect the rights of citizens would be through a government powerful enough to fulfill its constitutional obligations yet limited enough to prevent it from encroaching on the rights of individuals. A large national republic that divided power horizontally (within governments) and vertically (among different levels of government—local, state, and national) seemed the best way to achieve their goals.

Guiding Questions

• What are the Constitutional powers of each of the three branches of government?
• To what extent do the respective powers of each branch limit the powers of the other branches?

Objectives

• Students will list and describe the major formal and informal powers of the three branches of government.
• Students will analyze the extent of executive power.
• Students will evaluate the value of checks and balances.
• Students will compare the roles of each house of Congress.
• Students will describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.
• Students will explain how the courts check the other branches of government.

Educator Resources

• Handout A: Executive Powers Answer Key
• Handout C: Moot Court Procedures for Teachers

Student Handouts

• The Structure of National Government Essay
• Handout A: Executive Powers
• Handout B: How a Bill Becomes a Law
• Handout D: Supreme Court Case Scenarios