US Government Separation of Powers

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
  • Executive Branch (Article II): Enforces the laws
    • Headed by the President of the United States
  • Judicial Branch (Article III): Interprets the laws
    • Composed of the Supreme Court and other federal courts

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

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