1. Topic # 6 – Lesson 4 How can we organize government to prevent the abuse of power
Rap: Is this true…All nations that have a constitution have a constitutional government. Explain.
Lesson Goal: Students will be able to explain the ideas of separation of powers and checks and balances, know the Founder’s reasons for creating a system that limits governmental power, and list some powers of the three branches of government.

2. Why did the Founders fear the abuse of power?
Alexander Hamilton said, “Give all power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all power to the few, they will oppress the many.” Benjamin Franklin said, “There are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice (greed); the love of power and the love of money.” George Mason said, “From the nature of man, we may be sure that those who have power in their hands…will always, when they can…increase it.”
What does each quotation mean?
What view of human nature did Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and George Mason share?
Do you agree or disagree with these views of human nature? Why or Why not?
If you do agree with these views of human nature, how would you organize our government to protect your rights?

3. How might people organize a government to prevent the abuse of power
Before we begin…What are your ideas on how this might be done?
Constitutional governments
Separate the powers of government
Balance the powers among the branches of government
Dividing the powers among different branches, or parts prevents any one person or group having all the power.
Dividing the powers of government so that no one branch controls other branches. Provide each branch a way to check the use of power of the other branches.

4. How does separation of powers work
Constitutional governments usually divide into three groups or branches. The United States government is divided into:
Legislative branch – the power to make laws
Executive branch – the power to carry out and enforce the laws
Judicial branch – power to manage conflicts about the meaning, application, and enforcement of laws.
When powers are not given to any one branch and some of the power is given to each branch, it is called the separation of powers.

5. How does a system of checks and balances work?
Powers of the different branches are balanced.
No one branch has so much power that it can completely dominate the others.
Powers are checked because some powers are shared

6. How does a system of checks and balances work?
According to our Constitution:
Legislative branch is divided into two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate
Each house can check the power of the other by refusing to pass a law proposed by the other house.

7. How does a system of checks and balances work?
According to our Constitution:
Executive and Judicial check and control the power of Congress to make laws.
When Congress passes a bill, the president must sign it before it can become law.
The president has the right to veto a bill (refuse to sign it.)
If the president does not sign the bill, Congress would need a 2/3 vote in BOTH houses to pass the bill.
The U.S. Supreme Court (Judicial) can check the power of congress. It can declare a law to be unconstitutional.

8. Create a diagram to explain how a bill become law.
WIO
Create a diagram to explain how a bill become law.