American Government / Unit 7 Gov 311 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The First Branch
Captions available
The idea
The framers intended Congress to be the cornerstone of the republic — the first branch, described first, in Article I.
In practice
After a king, the framers had little interest in another powerful single individual at the top.
Where people slip
"First branch" describes design intent; practice has shifted power among the branches since.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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