Journal 2.21.14

1. Journal 2.21.14 • Name the three branches of government. Then, analyze why they all have different roles in the government.

2. Separation of Powers & Check and Balances

3. Goals • Know the three branches of the government. • Be able to list one check and balance for each branch.

4. Separation of Powers • Giving the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies. • Framers of the constitution included this for one main reason: • To prevent the majority from achieving absolute rule. • Having only one branch could lead to monarchy or dictatorship

5. 3 Branches • Legislative Branch • Made up of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives • The Executive Branch • Includes the President, Vice President, and Executive Departments. • The Judicial Branch • Composed of federal courts and the Supreme Court

6. Executive Branch • Powers: • Veto power, appointment of judges, make treaties, pardon power, commander in chief of Military • Checks: • Legislature: can override vetoes, refuse to confirm appointments, reject treaties, declare war, impeach the president. • Judicial: can declare executive acts unconstitutional.

7. Legislature • Powers: • pass federal laws, establish all lower federal courts, override presidential veto, impeach the president, • Checks: • Executive: can veto any bill, call Congress into session. • Judicial: Declare laws unconstitutional

8. Judicial Branch • Powers: • try federal cases, interpret laws, declare executive actions and laws unconstitutional. • Checks: • Executive: appoints judges • Legislative: can impeach judges, approves presidential appointments, amend constitution to overturn judicial decisions.

9. Examples of Checks and Balances • President appoints judges and department heads, but must be approved by the Senate. • Supreme court can rule a law unconstitutional, making it invalid, but, congress can amend the constitution. • Congress passes laws, but the president can veto it, which in turn can be overridden by the congress.