3 Branches of Government Separation of Powers Section 2:The Three Branches of Government.
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Transcript of 3 Branches of Government Separation of Powers Section 2:The Three Branches of Government.
3 Branches of Government
Separation of Powers
Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of GovernmentThe Three Branches of Government
The Main IdeaThe Constitution prevents any person, or any part of
the government, from taking too much power. It does this by creating three separate branches of the federal government and distributing power
among them.Reading Focus
• Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?
• What are the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government?
• How does the system of checks and balances work?
Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of GovernmentThe Three Branches of Government
Separation of Powers• Each level of government is
broken up into three parts.1. Legislative (Makes the Law)2. Executive (Carries out the Law)3. Judicial (Interprets the Law)
Each branch has specific powers given to it.
To keep each branch from getting too
powerful, Checks (restraints or limits) are used by the other branches.
Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of GovernmentThe Three Branches of Government
Responsibilities of the three branches of
government:• Legislative—the lawmaking branch • Executive—executes the country’s
laws• Judicial—interprets laws and
punishes law breakers
Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of GovernmentThe Three Branches of Government
Separation of Powers (SD)
QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.
The system of checks and balances:
• Each branch has powers no other branch can assume.
• Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other branches.
Section 2:Section 2: The Three Branches of GovernmentThe Three Branches of Government
What are Checks and Balances?• The constitution prevents
any of the three branches of the U.S. government from getting too powerful by giving them checks and powers.
• Checks - restraints or control over other branches.
• Powers – Specific powers one branch has that another does not.
No branch is too strong
No branch is too weak
Checks and
Balances
Checks and
BalancesInformation from
Chapter 3, Section 2
Legislative BranchPowers1.Make Laws
2.Can override presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in each house of congress.
3.Approves appointments of federal court judges.
In 2005, Harriet Miers was nominated to the U.S.
Supreme Court by President Bush. Congress
did not approve.
Checks on Legislative Powers
1.President can veto bills.
2.The Supreme Court can rule that a law is unconstitutional.
U.S. Supreme Court Building
Executive BranchPowers
1.Can approve or veto laws
2.Carries out the laws
3.Appoints federal court judges
4.Commander and Chief of military
Checks on Executive Powers1. Congress can override
presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in each house.
2. Congress can impeach and remove the president for high crimes and misdemeanors.
3. Senate approves or denies the president’s appointments to federal courts.
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton have been the only two presidents who have ever been impeached. However, they were not removed from office.
Judicial BranchPowers
1.Interprets the meaning of law
2.Can rule that laws passed by Congress or action taken by the executive branch as unconstitutional
Checks on Judicial Powers1. Congress or the states
can propose an amendment to the Constitution to make a law constitutional.
2. Senate can refuse to approve appointments to the federal courts.
3. Congress can impeach and remove a federal judge from office.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was almost refused appointment by the Senate
because of sexual harassment allegations.
Checks and Balances
QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.
Checks and Balances (SD)
QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.
Question: Why does the Constitution provide for the separation of powers?
SECTION 2
to ensure that no one branch of the U.S. government becomes too powerful
Executive
Legislative Judicial
Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Executive Branch
Executive Branch
Legislative & Executive
Judicial Branch
Judicial & Executive
Executive Branch
Judicial & ExecutiveExecutive Branch
Legislative & Executive