US Government 101

Articles of Confederation

What type of government has a loose association of states held together by a weak central government?

What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

US Constitution

What splits our national government into 3 branches to prevent any one branch from

becoming too powerful?

What branch are these 2 men from?

Executive Branch: the president, vice-president, members of the cabinet, and law officials

Main Duties:

1. Commander – in – Chief2. Makes Treaties3. Appoints Federal Judges and Ambassadors4. Can veto (reject) bills5. State of the Union Addresses6. Pardon criminals

Which branch is resembled in this picture?

Legislative Branch: the house of representatives and the Senate

Main Duties:1. Ratify treaties2. Appropriate monies and approve the fed

budget3. Declare war4. Impeach executive/judicial branch

members5. Make laws

Which house of congress is based on state populations?

John Boehner– Speaker of the House

Leonard Lance

NJ Senators

Frank Lautenberg Robert Menendez

The Supreme Court

Judicial Branch: 9 members of the Supreme Court, federal judges

Main Duties:1. Judge laws unconsitutional

John Roberts

What is the system that gives each branch the means to restrain the powers of the other?

The most powerful restriction on presidential power is…..

Andrew Johnson Bill Clinton

Elastic Clause: part of the Constitution that says Congress can make laws that are “necessary and proper” to fulfill its job