Checks and Balances /
Separation of Powers
Separation of Powers or
Checks/Balances- breaks the U.S.
government into 3 separate
branches
Separation of Powers/Checks
and Balances
Separation of Powers/Checks
and Balances
• Each branch has separate
powers and can check one
another’s powers
• Legislative branch- makes laws
• Executive branch- enforces laws
• Judicial branch- interprets laws
Checks and Balances (separation of
powers)
Congress
writes and
passes a law
Veto (forbid)
law
Checks and Balances (separation of
powers)
Congress
writes and
passes a law
Signs a law
Checks and Balances (separation of
powers)
Congress
writes and
passes a
law
Signs a law
Supreme
court
strikes
down
law
Checks and Balances (separation of powers)
• Congress (Legislative Branch) has the power to
make and pass laws
• President (Executive Branch) has the power to
veto (forbid) or sign laws
• Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) can strike
down laws that violate the constitution
(unconstitutional)
• Each branch can check (stop) one another’s
powers
Why do we have Separation of
Powers (checks and balances)?
 To make sure one branch does not
have TOO MUCH POWER
 If one branch is given all the power
then it may begin oppressing its
people
Federalism
• Remember from before: The United
States has a federal form of
government.
• This means that the national (also
known as federal) government
shares power with the states. (U.S.
shares power with Maryland,
Virginia, California, etc.)
• Federalism is the system of dividing
up powers between the federal and
state governments.
Declare war
public schools
Issue licenses
enforce laws
Regulate interstate commerce
Coin and print money
Establish post office
Establish courts
Make and
Raise an army and navy Collect taxes from citizens
with foreign nations Conduct elections
NATIONAL
STATE
Establish
BOTH
Make treaties
Check your answers!
National
Both
State
-Declare war
-Raise an army and
navy
-Establish post
office
-Make treaties with
foreign nations
-Regulate
interstate
commerce
-Coin and print
money
-Collect taxes
from citizens
-Make and
enforce laws
-Establish
courts
-Issue licenses
-Establish
public
schools
- Conduct
elections
Legislative Branch
Federal (National) Level
The Congress passes a
bill (law)
Liquor stores can’t sell minors
(under 21) alcohol
Legislative Branch
State Level
Maryland General
Assembly
People can’t text or use a cell
phone while driving
Legislative Branch
Local Level
City Council
Restaurants can’t cook foods that
have more than half a gram of
trans fat per serving
Important Vocabulary
Power that is
“given to” the
nation
Prohibite Something that
has been banned
d
or not allowed to
happen
Reserve Power that is “set
aside” for the
d
states
Delegate
d
So, to review….
•Separation of Powers
(also known as Checks and Balances)
=
Interaction between
the BRANCHES
So, to review….
•Federalism =
Interaction between
the
LEVELS