The U.S. Government At Work

The U. S. Government At Work

Introduction When the United States first became a country, it was home to more than two million people. The men who founded the United States knew that running the country was too big a job for just one person. They came up with a way to let experts help the president run the country.

Rules for a New Nation In 1788, American leaders approved the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution is a set of laws that tell how the country should be run. It breaks the government into three branches, or parts. The legislative branch makes the laws. The judicial branch makes sure the laws are fair.

The president has his or her own branch. It is called the executive branch. His or her job is to follow the laws and run the country. Leaders set up a plan so the president could choose helpers to make the job easier.

The Cabinet This plan was approved in 1788. The president could choose four people to help him. These helpers would make up the cabinet. One would look after spending. One would deal with other countries. Another helper would make sure American states and American people followed the federal law, Still another would be in charge of the military.

George Washington was the first president. He chose four helpers he thought would do a good job, but two of those people did not get along. Washington knew that he had to choose more carefully. The cabinet had to work together and follow his directions.