Student Reading 8.3: The Three Branches of the U.S. Government James Wolcott was peering out the window just in time to see his sons coming up the path from the shipyard below. It was a bright, sunny, spring day along the banks of the Maumee River in 1837. Mr. Wolcott wondered about their day, since Henry and Frederick looked as if they were in a heated discussion as they approached their home. No doubt it could 1
have been about most anything, as those two boys fought all the time. They were good boys, but as strong-headed as they come. fright. As they burst through the front door, their sister Mary jumped with What in heaven s name is going on? Mary asked. Neither boy said a word but went straight to Father s office to speak with him directly. Mary continued her stitching, but moved a bit closer to the door to hear any words that might be spoken behind the heavy oak. Father, Henry told me that before you built ships, you were a judge and handed out punishments to bad folks. Is that true? demanded the younger son. Mr. Wolcott asked both boys to take a seat and looked at both of his sons thoughtfully. I see you boys put in a long day s work down at the shipyard today. Reminds me of myself when I was a young lad, putting in an honest day s work. Mr. Wolcott paused, and in a stern voice stated, Henry is correct, 2
but let s not fight over such issues. I ve seen enough folks not getting along during my time as a judge. Frederick and Henry exchanged glances and shrugged, knowing this was not the time to continue their bickering. Tell us what you did as a judge, begged Frederick. Mr. Wolcott stared at the many books sitting on the dark stained shelves and looked out the window before beginning to tell his sons about his part in history. Mr. Wolcott worked in the part of the government called the judicial branch. As he recalled his days as judge, he smiled as his thoughts took him back further than his days of being a judge, to a time before Ohio had become a state. It was this story that he began to recollect and tell his children. As a young man, James learned that it was necessary for a set of rules to be written to protect the rights of all people. This set of rules was called the United States Constitution. This documents separates the government of the United States of America into three different parts called branches. Mr. Wolcott explained that the three branches of 3
government were called the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Their father looked past the sunlight streaming in the window to the tallest of the trees surrounding their house. He pointed to the branches of the elm and told his boys about how the branches of that elm were like the branches of government. All three parts have their own jobs and responsibilities and are needed for government to work. Neither boy said a word as their father told them about the three branches of the United States government and the job of each branch. Mr. Wolcott took a brown book off a nearby shelf and placing it on his desk, told the boys the book represented the legislative branch of the United States government. The legislative branch of the U.S. government is in charge of making laws for the whole nation. This branch is called Congress and is made up of two parts the Senate and House of Representatives. Both parts of Congress must work together to write and pass laws. James pulled a gray book off a shelf. This book represented the executive branch of U.S. government. This branch makes sure that laws are 4
carried out and obeyed. The head of the executive branch is the President of the United States. The President gets help from the Vice President and other agencies. As Mr. Wolcott walked over to select another book from the polished shelves, Frederick spoke up and said that the next branch of government had to be the one with judges. His father let Frederick know he was correct, and that the judicial branch of the U.S. government is the one that interprets and applies the laws. The U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts head (Lady Justice. Courtesy of http://www.everystockphoto.com/.) the judicial branch of government. The courts look at the meaning of the laws and decide whether or not a law is compatible with the U.S. Constitution. Frederick began thinking about how his father s job as a judge might have been hard on some days. 5
Mr. Wolcott was deep in thought as he studied all the timeworn books on shelves in the room. He stood all three books on their end in the shape of a triangle and then placed a well-used leather bag on top of the books. The parts of the government work together to govern people, just like these three books hold up this leather bag. Each book does its job, no book is more important than the other books. Each part of government does its job and no one branch is more important than the others. Just like the branches of a tree, thought Henry. Frederick smiled (This photo shows home of James and Mary Wolcott, located along the Maumee River. Courtesy of Ohio Memory.) at his father, all the while deciding that being a judge was an important job. Frederick told Mary that as a judge, their father was part of the judicial branch of government. Judges study the laws and make decisions based 6
upon their understanding of how the law is to be applied. When a new law is passed, the courts are the ones to understand and apply it to individual cases. All three children wondered if it was hard for their father to make these types of decisions. Before any of the children could ask, Mrs. Wolcott appeared in the doorway and announced that it was suppertime. Mr. Wolcott told his children that they could talk more during supper, but first everyone had to wash up for the evening meal. The Wolcotts continued their discussion through supper and for many nights to come. 7
Reading Comprehension Questions 1. Which branch of government makes the laws? 2. Which branch of government interprets and applies the laws? 3. Which branch of government makes sure that laws are carried out and obeyed? 8
Directions: Draw a line from each branch to name of the head of the branch. Branch of Government: 1. Executive branch 2. Legislative branch 3. Judicial branch of Head of Government: Supreme Court Senate and House of Representatives President 9