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)

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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

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Checks and Balances (SD)

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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