Checks and Balances / Separation of Powers

Separation of Powers or Checks/Balances- breaks the

U.S. government into 3 separate branches

Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances

• Each branch has separate powers and can check one another’s powers

• Legislative branch- makes laws • Executive branch- enforces laws • Judicial branch- interprets laws

Checks and Balances (separation of powers)

Congress writes and

passes a law

Veto (forbid) law

Checks and Balances (separation of powers)

Congress writes and

passes a law

Signs a law

Checks and Balances (separation of powers)

Congress writes and passes a

law

Signs a law Supreme court strikes down law

Checks and Balances (separation of powers)

• Congress (Legislative Branch) has the power to make and pass laws

• President (Executive Branch) has the power to veto (forbid) or sign laws

• Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) can strike down laws that violate the constitution (unconstitutional)

• Each branch can check (stop) one another’s powers

Why do we have Separation of Powers (checks and balances)?

To make sure one branch does not have TOO MUCH POWER

If one branch is given all the power then it may begin oppressing its people

Federalism• Remember from before: The United

States has a federal form of government.

• This means that the national (also known as federal) government shares power with the states. (U.S. shares power with Maryland, Virginia, California, etc.)

• Federalism is the system of dividing up powers between the federal and state governments.

Declare war Regulate interstate commerce Establish public schools Coin and print money

Issue licenses Establish post office Make and enforce laws Establish courts

Raise an army and navy Collect taxes from citizens Make treaties with foreign nations Conduct elections

NATIONAL BOTH STATE

Check your answers!National Both State-Declare war

-Raise an army and navy

-Establish post office

-Make treaties with foreign nations

-Regulate interstate commerce

-Coin and print money

-Collect taxes from citizens

-Make and enforce laws

-Establish courts

-Issue licenses -Establish

publicschools

- Conduct elections

Legislative BranchFederal (National) Level

The Congress passes a bill (law)

Liquor stores can’t sell minors (under 21) alcohol

Legislative BranchState Level

Maryland General Assembly

People can’t text or use a cell phone while driving

Legislative BranchLocal Level

City Council

Restaurants can’t cook foods that have more than half a gram of

trans fat per serving

Important Vocabulary

Delegated

Power that is “given to” the

nation

Prohibited

Something that has been banned or not allowed to

happen

Reserved

Power that is “set aside” for the

states

So, to review….

•Separation of Powers(also known as Checks and Balances) =

Interaction between the BRANCHES

So, to review….

•Federalism = Interaction between the LEVELS