1. Today: Understanding Federalism and The Branches of Government
1/12/16– BR- What do you think is the common goal (or goals) of Federalism, Checks and Balances, and Separation of Power
Today: Understanding Federalism and The Branches of Government

2. Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
How do these principles of democracy protect the people?

3. Separation of Powers
Dividing different powers among three branches of government
Prevents one branch from gaining too much power
Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches have their own unique powers

5. Vocabulary Journal #15
Checks and Balances : the constitutional concept that each branch of the government has power to regulate or check the other branches. This idea tries to ensure that now one branch of government will become too powerful

6. Checks and Balances

7. Dividing the Federal Government
The Founding Fathers believed that the only way to keep the Federal Government from gaining too much power was to divide it into three parts:
The Legislature – Makes Laws
The Executive – Enforces Laws
The Judicial – Interprets Laws

8. What are Checks and Balances?
Checks and Balances were built into the Constitution to ensure that no one branch of government ever became too powerful.
It gives each branch of government some power over the others

9. Legislative vs. Executive
Congress can pass new bills
President must approve or veto these bills
Congress can override presidential vetoes with a 2/3 majority vote
The Senate must approve all appointments and treaties
President can make treaties and appoint Supreme Court Justices
John Roberts
(Chief Justice)
Congress can impeach and remove president from office

10. Legislative vs. Judicial
The Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
The Senate must approve Supreme Court nominations
Congress can impeach and remove federal judges

11. Executive vs. Judicial
The Supreme Court can declare any executive acts unconstitutional
The President appoints all Supreme Court Justices
Newest Supreme Court Justice: Sonia Sotomayor

13. Analysis
Why is it important to separate the powers of the government? Think about the other principles of democracy…

14. Checks and Balances
Powers each branch has that allows them to check up on the other branches
Prevents branches from abusing their powers
Preserves the separation of powers
Requires cooperation between the branches of government

15. Legislative Branch (House and Senate)
Can override a presidential veto
Can impeach and remove the president
Ratifies presidential appointments
Authorizes/appropriates funds for legislation
Checks on the judiciary
Can impeach and remove judges
Confirms federal judges

16. Executive Branch (President and Cabinet)
Proposes legislation (laws)
Vetoes legislation (laws)
Makes treaties w/ foreign countries
Checks on the judiciary
Appoints federal judges
Enforces court decisions

17. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and Lower Courts)
Reviews executive decisions
Checks on Congress
Reviews congressional laws
Judicial Review (executive and legislative)
Supreme Court Justices appointed for life

20. Analysis What are some problems with the checks and balances system?
The Constitution is vague in some parts of these powers. How can this cause a problem for each branch?
How does this system promote cooperation between the branches of government?
Which branch has the most power? Why?

21. To do:
Create a chart like the one I showed that illustrates at least two ways each branch check on the other

22. Executive
Judicial
Legislative