1. Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Limited Government
SS.7.C.1.7
Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers and checks and balances.
Essential Question:
How does the Constitution limit the powers of the government?

2. Bell Ringer: 3 Minutes
When the President nominates an individual to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, the Senate must confirm the appointment. Which constitutional principle does this illustrate?
Limited government
Popular sovereignty
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
overriding vetoes
appointing judges
declaring laws unconstitutional
refusing to confirm appointments

3. Hook
Click on the image. Watch the video on checks and balances of our government.
Question to consider:
Which Enlightenment Thinker did the Founding Fathers get the idea of separating the powers of government?

4. “I Do” Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
Government has only those powers granted to it by the people in the Constitution.
Separating the functions of government helps protect against abuse of power.
Legislative: Makes Laws Executive: Enforces Laws Judicial: Interprets Laws
Each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
President->veto legislation
Congress->impeach president
Judiciary->declare laws unconstitutional
Checks for understanding
Does the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances make our government too slow?
Why did the Founding Fathers not want a strong central government?
Why did the Founding Fathers have three different branches of government?

5. Let’s Practice
Directions: Complete the following chart with the information below.
Can propose laws Appoints federal judges Creates lower federal courts
Ratifies treaties Grants pardons Impeach judges
Approves federal judges Appoints Cabinet members Declares war
Appropriates Money Veto Laws Override Vetoes
Can declare executive actions unconstitutional Carries out laws
Declare acts of Congress Unconstitutional Interprets the laws
Enforces the laws

6. Checks on the Legislative Branch Checks on the Judicial Branch
Let’s Practice!
Executive Branch
Checks on the Legislative Branch
Checks on the Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
Checks on the Executive Branch
Judicial Branch

7. Bell Ringer: 3 Minutes
When the President nominates an individual to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, the Senate must confirm the appointment. Which constitutional principle does this illustrate?
Limited government
Popular sovereignty
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
overriding vetoes
appointing judges
declaring laws unconstitutional
refusing to confirm appointments

8. You Do
Which principle supports President Eisenhower's action to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that public schools should be integrated?
judicial review
checks and balances
separation of powers
constitutional government
The chart below shows the organization of the government of the United States, based on the Constitution.
Which constitutional principle is illustrated by the chart?
Federalism
Separation of power
Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty
Legislative Branch:
Makes Laws
Executive Branch:
Enforces laws
Judicial Branch:
Applies and Settles Laws
Article I: Congress
Article II: Presidency
Article III: Supreme Court D B

9. Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Limited Government
Exit Slip:
Answer the following question in your interactive journal.
Essential Question:
How does the Constitution limit the powers of the government?