Leading the Nation

This passage explains why the Founding Fathers created the executive branch. Under the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. had no president, which made enforcing laws difficult. The Constitution created the executive branch in 1787 to give the nation a leader but limited their power. The passage outlines presidential responsibilities such as enforcing laws, leading the military, and working with other nations. It also highlights the checks and balances that prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

By reading this passage, students strengthen historical comprehension through clear explanations of why government structures exist. They develop vocabulary growth with words like “confederation,” “balances,” and “veto.” This type of text sharpens cause-and-effect reasoning as students see how problems led to solutions. Reading structured history improves fluency and grammar awareness. Finally, it fosters critical thinking by encouraging reflection on why checks on power matter today.