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Questions and Answers
Which article of the US Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch?
Which article of the US Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch?
What is the main function of the Judicial Branch?
What is the main function of the Judicial Branch?
How can Congress check the President's power?
How can Congress check the President's power?
What is the main provision of the First Amendment?
What is the main provision of the First Amendment?
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Which amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure?
Which amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure?
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What is the main function of the system of checks and balances?
What is the main function of the system of checks and balances?
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How can the Judiciary check the other two branches?
How can the Judiciary check the other two branches?
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What is the main provision of the Eighth Amendment?
What is the main provision of the Eighth Amendment?
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How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights?
How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights?
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What is the main provision of the Tenth Amendment?
What is the main provision of the Tenth Amendment?
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Study Notes
Separation of Powers
- The principle of separation of powers is established in Article I, II, and III of the US Constitution
- It divides the federal government into three branches:
-
Legislative Branch (Article I): Makes the laws
- Composed of Congress, which is divided into two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate
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Executive Branch (Article II): Enforces the laws
- Headed by the President of the United States
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Judicial Branch (Article III): Interprets the laws
- Composed of the Supreme Court and other federal courts
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Legislative Branch (Article I): Makes the laws
System of Checks and Balances
- Each branch has powers that limit the actions of the other branches
- Examples:
- Congress can check the President's power by:
- Rejecting presidential appointments
- Overriding presidential vetoes
- The President can check Congress's power by:
- Vetoing laws passed by Congress
- Appointing federal judges and other officials
- The Judiciary can check the other two branches by:
- Declaring laws and government actions unconstitutional
- Reviewing the actions of the executive and legislative branches
- Congress can check the President's power by:
Bill of Rights
- The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791
- Guarantees individual liberties and protections
- Key provisions:
- First Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
- Second Amendment: Right to bear arms
- Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable search and seizure
- Fifth Amendment: Right to due process, protection against self-incrimination
- Sixth Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial, right to counsel
- Eighth Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment
- Ninth Amendment: Protection of rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution
- Tenth Amendment: Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people
Separation of Powers
- Established in Article I, II, and III of the US Constitution
- Divides the federal government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
- Legislative Branch: Makes laws, composed of Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
- Executive Branch: Enforces laws, headed by the President of the United States
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws, composed of the Supreme Court and other federal courts
System of Checks and Balances
- Each branch has powers to limit the actions of other branches
- Congress checks the President: rejects presidential appointments, overrides presidential vetoes
- President checks Congress: vetoes laws passed by Congress, appoints federal judges and officials
- Judiciary checks the other two branches: declares laws and government actions unconstitutional, reviews executive and legislative branch actions
Bill of Rights
- First 10 amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791
- Guarantees individual liberties and protections
-
Key Provisions:
- First Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
- Second Amendment: Right to bear arms
- Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable search and seizure
- Fifth Amendment: Right to due process, protection against self-incrimination
- Sixth Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial, right to counsel
- Eighth Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment
- Ninth Amendment: Protection of rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution
- Tenth Amendment: Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people
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Description
Learn about the separation of powers principle in the US Constitution, dividing the federal government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
