Checks and Balances
Transcript of Checks and Balances
“The Constitution”Checks, Balances; Federalism
By Mr. Richard GeibFoothill Technology High School
29 October 2014
The American Experience11th Grade
Popular Sovereignty
“We the people…”
Framer’s Intent for U.S. Gov’t
• Governments derive authority from the “consent of the governed.”
• Federal gov’t has only limited power so as to keep it from becoming tyrannical.
• Under “federal” system, local state governments have powers also.
Authors of U.S. Constitution wanted to balance
strong government and liberties of the people.
Federal System: National Government
POWERS OF
THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT
Regulate
interstate and
foreign trade
Raise/support
armed forces
Declare war/make
peace
Coin and print
money
Grant patents/
copywrights
Establ ish federal
courts
Govern terri tories
and admit new
states
Set weights/
measures
Establ ish a postal
system
Regulate
immigration
Federal System: State Governments
POWERS OF THE
STATE
GOVERNMENTS
Set up local
governments
Rati fy
consti tutional
amendments
Write business/
corporation laws
Conduct e lections
Regulate trade
wi thin the state
Pass marriage/
divorce laws
Establ ish and
maintain public
schools
Federal System: Shared Powers
POWERS SHARED BY
NATIONAL AND STATE
GOVERNMENTS
Make and enforce
lawsCollect taxes
Charter banksEstabl ish and
maintain courts
Borrow moneyProvide for public
welfare
NATIONAL GOV’T:
Separation of Powers
• Legislative branch • Executive branch
• Judicial branch
To prevent any one group from becoming too powerful,
federal government divided into 3 branches.
Parts of U.S. Federal Government
LEGISLATIVE
Senate House
EXECUTIVE
(Carries out
laws)
President
Vice-President Cabinet
JUDICIAL
Supreme Court
Other Federal
Courts
Legislative
• Legislative branch consists of
House of Representatives and
Senate: known as “Congress.”
• Makes nation’s laws.
• Has authority to collect taxes
(has “power of purse!”).
• Can declare war.
• Meets in “people’s building,” the
Capitol Building.
Capitol Building, home of Congress
Executive
• Executive branch consists
of president, vice
president, federal
departments and
agencies.
• Chief Executive (President
of the U.S.) carries out the
laws of Congress, runs
federal gov’t, including
U.S. military forces.
• Chief of state, in charge of
diplomacy. “Marine 1,” President’s personal helicopter
Judiciary
• Judicial branch consists of
Supreme and all lower
courts.
• Its job is to administer justice
and interpret the federal law.
Requirements for Holding
Federal Office
PRESIDENT
OF UNITED
STATES
35 years
14 years in
the United
States
SUPREME
COURT
JUSTICE
No specific
requirements
Requirements for Holding
Federal Office
SENATOR
Must reside
in state in
which
elected
30 years old
9 years
ci tizenship
REPRESENTATIVE
25 years
Must reisde
in state in
which
elected
7 years
ci tieznship
“Living” Constitution
• Framers anticipated the need to change Constitution in future.
• It can be changed by adding “amendments.”
• Framers did not want to make this easy due to discourage minor or frequent changes.
• Amendment to Constitution needs 2/3 vote of Congress or through special convention held by state legislatures.
• There have been only 27 amendments to Constitution. United States Constitution
THE END!