ShmoopTube

00:04

Branches of Government, a la Shmoop.

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Hi, I’m Alexander Hamilton. [Alexander Hamilton introducing himself]

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Meet the fellow framers of the Constitution.

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No, not them… these guys.

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As you know, we’ve got our work cut out for us.

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This document we’re writing is a big deal. [Framed document of US Constitution]

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It’s going to be the foundation on which our nation will be built…

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… so we’d better make it a good one.

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We don’t want to have to go adding a bunch of “amendments” years from now.

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That would be embarrassing.

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Okay, so one of our foremost goals is to create a system of checks and balances.

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We’ve had some… not-so-great experiences with British kings and parliament… [British King outside Parliament]

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…and we don’t exactly want to follow in their tyrannical footsteps.

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In our opinion, having all the power in the hands of only a few is an epic fail.

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So we’re setting out to create a system of government where no individual or institution [Cat on a podium]

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can acquire tyrannical power.

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We’re dividing everything into three branches…

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Legislative…

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…Executive…

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…and Judicial. [Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches appear from a tree]

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No one branch holds more power than the others…

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… so they can keep tabs on each other and make sure nobody gets out of line.

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Alright. Let's start here.

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The Legislative and Executive branches can also help the Supreme Court when one of the [Legislative branch holding stop sign as executive branch appears]

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Justices needs to cross the street…

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Let’s be honest.

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A few of them are getting up there in years…

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The Legislative branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate…

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i.e. Congress.

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It’s their job to vote on laws, or pieces of legislation.

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Or to… get all stubborn and fight with members of the opposing party, or… whatever. [Man arguing with a branch]

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The Executive branch includes the President and Vice-President…

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…but also cabinet members, like the Secretary of… well, just about everything.

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Education, Agriculture, Transportation, and so on.

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If you’re going to be a secretary, this is the kind of secretary to be. [Woman secretary in an office]

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You’ll get at least an extra zero or two on your paycheck.

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Finally, you’ve got the Judicial branch.

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Here, we’ve got the Supreme Court, which oversees all court systems in the entire country. [Judicial branch and judge bangs a gavel]

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The Supreme Court trumps all decisions made by lower courts…

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…so they can basically swoop in and say, “Aw, heck no!”

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And then write their own decision that they feel is more just.

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It is the Supreme Court’s job to correctly interpret, enforce and judge important court

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cases according to the laws of the land…

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…some of which have just been drawn up by the President…

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…and put in place by Congress…

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See how everything comes full circle?

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Well, I’d better get back to work.

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Benji’s getting antsy.

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That guy does not believe in taking breaks. [Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin appears behind him]

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Good thing we’re not making him President…

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