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System of checks and balances
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In 1787 leaders of the states gathered to write the Constitution-a set of principles that told how the new nation would be governed.
- wanted a strong and fair national government.
- also wanted to protect individual freedoms and prevent the government from abusing its power.
- believed they could do this by having three separate branches of government: the executive, the legislative and the judicial.
- described in the first three articles, or sections, of the Constitution.
Legislative Branch
- is made up of the two houses of Congress-the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- most important duty :make laws.
- Laws are written, discussed and voted on in Congress.
Executive Branch
- President āhead of the executive branch, which makes laws official.
- President is elected by the entire country and serves a four-year term.
- approves and carries out laws passed by the legislative branch.
- appoints or removes cabinet members and officials.
- negotiates treaties, and acts as head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces.
Judicial Branch
- judicial branch oversees the court system of the U.S.
- explains the meaning of the Constitution and laws passed by Congress.
- Supreme Court: head of the judicial branch.
Checks and Balances
- is an important part of the Constitution.
- each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others
- ā no one branch becomes too powerful.
- Each branch "checks" the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them.
- How does this system of checks and balances work?
- process of how laws are made = good example of checks and balances in action.
- First, the legislative branch introduces and votes on a bill.
- bill goes to the executive branch, where the President decides whether he thinks the bill is good for the country.
- If so, he signs the bill, and it becomes a law.
- If the President does not believe the bill is good for the country, he does not sign it.
- called a veto.
- legislative branch- another chance. With enough votes, the legislative branch can override the executive branch\'s veto, and the bill becomes a law.
- Once a law is in place, the people of the country can test it through the court system, which is under the control of the judicial branch.
- If someone believes a law is unfair, a lawsuit can be filed.
- Lawyers then make arguments for and against the case, and a judge decides which side has presented the most convincing arguments.
- side that loses can choose to appeal to a higher court, and may eventually reach the highest court of all, the Supreme Court.
- If the legislative branch does not agree with the way in which the judicial branch has interpreted the law, they can introduce a new piece of legislation, and the process starts all over again.
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