Lesson C-5: Checks and Balances

Today’s Essential Question: How does the Constitution’s system of checks and balances keep

a balance of power between the branches?

Vocabulary

• check – an action that limits the action of someone else

• unconstitutional – is not consistent with the Constitution

• impeach – charge officially with a crime

What We Already Know

The Seven Principles of the Constitution included the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances, to keep any single branch of government from

gaining too much power over the people.

The Seven Principles of the Constitution included the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances, to keep any single branch of government from

gaining too much power over the people.

What We Already Know

Each branch of our government –

legislative, executive, and

judicial – is given very clear distinct

powers.

Our Government

Executive

Legislative

Judicial

What We Already Know

• The legislative branch (Congress) makes the laws.

• The executive branch (the president) enforces the laws.

• The judicial branch (the Supreme Court) interprets the laws.

The Legislative Branch (Congress) makes the laws.

Checks on the Executive Branch

• can strike down treaties made by the executive branch

• can refuse to confirm the president’s appointment of cabinet members and ambassadors

• can override presidential vetoes of laws• controls money from taxes and tariffs, which

can be used to pay for executive actions• can impeach the president and other

government officials who work for him 

The Legislative Branch (Congress) makes the laws.

Checks on the Judicial Branch• can refuse to confirm judicial appoint-

ments • can impeach justices• can propose amendments to overturn

judicial decisions• can change the number of Supreme

Court justices

The Executive Branch (President) executes laws passed by Congress.

Checks on the Legislative Branch

• vetoes laws he believes are unwise or unconstitutional

• can propose bills and call special sessions of Congress

• controls political patronage (i.e., giving government agency jobs to supporters)

The Executive Branch (President) executes laws passed by Congress.

Checks on the Judicial Branch

• appoints Supreme Court justices and federal court judges

• grants pardons to convicted felons

The Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court) interprets the laws.

The Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court) interprets the laws.

• ‘Interpret’ means to decide is a law fits with the Constitution

• Also decides what the wording of the Constitution means in everyday life

• This is known as judicial review.

The Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court) interprets the laws.

The Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court) interprets the laws.

• Checks the Legislative Branch by declaring laws unconstitutional

• Checks the Executive Branch by declaring executive acts of the president unconstitutional

A check is an action that limits the action of someone else.

A check is an action that limits the action of someone else.

Which branch has the power?Appointing a judge to the Supreme CourtApproving a nuclear arms treaty with the Soviet UnionAssuring that the other two branches adhere to the

ConstitutionCalling a special emergency session of Congress to

reduce unemploymentConducting hearings on the effects of environmental

pollutionConfirming the appointment of a new secretary of

defenseDeciding on the constitutionality of a federal busing

lawImpeaching a president for high crimes and

misdemeanorsOverriding a veto on a national gun control law

Removing a judge for improper use of officeTrying a case involving a possible violation of free

speechVetoing a national gun control law

ExecutiveLegislative

Judicial

Executive

Legislative

Legislative

Judicial

Legislative

Legislative

Legislative

Judicial

Executive