Checks and Balances

The Branches of the U.S. Government

Designed By: James Woda

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Checks and BalancesThe U.S. federal government is made up of three equal but different parts. They are able to keep the balance of power in a system we call checks and balances.

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Checks and Balances

Each branch of the government has different responsibilities designed to prevent the other branches from becoming too powerful.

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What are the three branches?Branch of Government Their Purpose Who is it?

Legislative Branch Make Laws The U.S. Congress

Executive Branch Enforce Laws The President

Judicial Branch Interpret Laws The Supreme Court

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The Legislative BranchChecks on the Executive Branch• Control of government spending• Override a presidential veto• Approve or reject treaties

Checks on the Judicial Branch• Senate approves federal judges• Trial of impeachments• Power to initiate constitutional amendments• Power to set courts inferior to the Supreme

Court• Power to set jurisdiction of courts• Power to alter the size of the Supreme Court

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The Executive BranchChecks on the Legislative Branch• Veto Power

Checks on the Judicial Branch• Appoints all federal judges for life

terms

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The Judicial BranchChecks on Executive Branch• Declare presidential acts as

unconstitutional

Checks on Legislative Branch• Declare laws as unconstitutional

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Let’s Sum it all up!

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IT’S QUIZ TIME!!!

Let’s Get StartedReview

Which of these are NOT a branch of the U.S. federal government?

A. Legislative BranchB. The Judicial BranchC. Enforcement BranchD. Executive Branch

Which of these are NOT a branch of the U.S. federal government?

A. Legislative BranchB. The Judicial BranchC. Enforcement BranchD. Executive Branch

What is the function of the judicial branch?

A. Create LawsB. Declare WarsC. Enforce LawsD. Interpret Laws

What is the function of the judicial branch?

A. Create LawsB. Declare WarsC. Enforce LawsD. Interpret Laws

Click the arrow that indicates the President’s veto power.

Click the arrow that indicates the President’s veto power.

Who has control of the government’s spending?

A. U.S. CongressB. The SenateC. The PresidentD. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Who has control of the government’s spending?

A. U.S. CongressB. The SenateC. The PresidentD. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Click the arrow that indicates the act of declaring a law unconstitutional?

Click the arrow that indicates the act of declaring a law unconstitutional?

Go Again! I’m Finished

Photo ReferencesTree: http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110221/gov_tree3.gifCheck and Balances: http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Images/ChksBalnces.gifJuggling Uncle Sam: http://www.congressforkids.net/images/checksandbalancesunclesam.jpgCapitol: http://www.hobart.k12.in.us/ksms/AmerSym/capitol.htmWhite House: http://www.visitingdc.com/white-house/white-house-picture.htmSupreme Court: http://www.historyguy.com/supremecourt/women_justices_supreme_court.htmU.S. Representatives Seal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_House_of_Representatives.svgU.S. Senate Seal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Senate_Seal.svgU.S. President’s Seal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_United_States_Of_America.svgU.S. Supreme Court Seal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_United_States_Supreme_Court.svgChecks and Balances Chart: http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Images/ChksBalnces.gifU.S. Flag: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnNO_zZU7w0/Tb8DREPaK7I/AAAAAAAAAcU/qUaakTYpwoU/s1600/American+Flag+Wallpaper.jpgTry Again 1: http://worddork.blogspot.com/2009/11/try-try-again.htmlTry Again 2: http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/Archives/ED101sp07/kli250/MDX05~If-At-First-You-Don-t-Succeed-Try-Try-Again-Posters.jpgThumbs Up: http://www.raysunlockingshop.com/product_images/uploaded_images/thumbs-up-jpg.pngCheck Mark: http://www.321pic.com/images/yes-11.pngHorray: http://www.totaltwaddle.co.uk/board/gallery/1_05_05_07_6_49_23.jpgYou Did It: http://www.lauren-ruth.com/sculpture/youdidit/