As you have seen in this lesson, the three branches of the U.S. government sometimes work against each other or other times work each other, and indeed. Both scenarios have occurred many times throughout the nation's history. Study the tabs below to learn about two time when all three branches interacted to produce change or to solve a problem.

Tobacco Control

A Minimum Wage

President Barack Obama signs the "Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act," launching the FDA's landmark responsibility over tobacco products.

Tobacco, which has been one of America's most important cash crops, went largely unregulated until the 1960s. Since then, two branches of the government have stepped in to try to help reduce the risks associated with tobacco use. Congress passed laws to raise taxes on tobacco, and an executive agency, the FDA, brought tobacco companies to court regarding false advertising and health-related costs.

In 2016, Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders campaigned in favor of a higher federal minimum wage.

Since Congress settles most of the nation's money issues, any effort to establish a minimum wage falls to the legislative branch. However, many states and cities require that higher hourly wages be paid to employees due to the region's high cost of living. Also, the executive branch's Department of Labor is in charge of enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act, which guarantees that employees get paid fairly. Even the courts have been involved at times: In 1937, federal courts ruled in West Coast Hotel v. Parrish that state minimum wage laws are, in fact, constitutional, reversing an earlier court decision.

Choose one of these topics, and do some research to find out exactly how the problem was solved, including the role played by each branch of government. Click the buttons below to review the questions associated with each topic. Then choose one of the worksheets to complete.