The Roots of Democracy

An Integrated, Interdisciplinary, Thematic, Standards-based Unit on the three branches of our national government and its impact on the ordinary citizens The American government purposely has three distinct branches of government which ensure a system of checks and balances of power. These checks and balances are rooted in the ideal of a democracy "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Students will investigate the three branches to better understand democracy--how and why it is a system that works.