The Executive Branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the United States, but the president’s role goes far beyond signing bills and making speeches. From leading the military to shaping foreign policy, the president has a powerful and complex job—but what exactly are the limits of executive power?

In this episode of The American Government Curriculum Companion, we explore the structure and function of the Executive Branch. We’ll break down the president’s roles as Commander-in-Chief, Chief Diplomat, and Chief Executive, as well as the responsibilities of the vice president and the president’s cabinet. We’ll also discuss executive orders, the role of federal agencies, and the system of checks and balances that keeps presidential power in check

This episode is designed to accompany our unit plan on the Executive Branch of Government for our complete Civics and American Government Curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in Civics & Government, along with US History, World History, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.