Name ______________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Page 1
CHECKS AND
BALANCES:
The Separation of Powers
The United States Constitution divides the federal government into three branches. The
legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch carries out laws, and the judicial branch
evaluates laws. This organization is referred to as the separation of powers. Each branch
of government has its own unique powers. Each branch also has specific powers that act to
“check,” or limit, the other branches so no one branch gets too powerful. Read the chart for
examples of how these checks and balances work! Then answer the questions on page 2.
The Senate approves all nominations made by
the president. The Senate also has the power to
impeach, or remove, the president.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The President
The president can cancel legislation
passed by Congress by issuing a veto.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Courts
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LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Congress
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Name ______________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Page 2
CHECKS AND
BALANCES:
The Separation of Powers
Use the information on page 1 to answer the questions.
1.
How does the legislative branch check the powers of the executive branch?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
How does the legislative branch check the powers of the judicial branch?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
How does the executive branch check the powers of the legislative branch?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
How does the executive branch check the powers of the judicial branch?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
How does the judicial branch check the powers of the legislative branch?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.
How does the judicial branch check the powers of the executive branch?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bonus Question:
Do a little more digging!
There are many other ways that the branches of government limit each other’s
power! Research some examples of checks and balances that aren’t included on
page 1. How many can you find?
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