Creating the Constitution
ALL OF THE LINKS TO USE TO FILL IN THE BLANKS ARE IN THE TUESDAY FOLDER
Link http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/branches.html
1. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention faced a difficult challenge. They wanted to ensure a strong,
cohesive__________________ government, yet they also wanted to ensure that no individual or small group in
the government would become too ___________________.
2. Under the Articles of Confederation, the government had lacked _____________________, and the delegates
didn’t want to have that problem again.
3. To solve these problems, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a government with three
separate __________________, each with its own distinct powers. This system would establish a strong central
government, while insuring a ________________ ____ _____________________.
4. Governmental power and functions in the United States rest in three branches of government: the
__________________, ______________________, and ____________________.
5. Though in this system of a separation of powers each branch operates independently of the others. However,
there are built in _________________ _____ _________________to prevent tyrannous concentration of
power in any one branch and to protect the _________________ _________ _______________of citizens.
6. The President can ____________bills approved by Congress. (This limits the power of the Legislative
branch) The President nominates individuals to serve in the Federal judiciary (This limits the power of the
Judicial Branch); the Supreme Court can declare a law enacted by Congress or an action by the President
____________________. (This limits both the legislative and executive branches); and Congress can
__________________ the President and Federal court justices and judges. (This limits both the executive and
judicial branches.)
Use the Executive branch link at the bottom of the page to answer the following questions about the
President. http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/executive.html
7. The executive branch of the Government is responsible for ___________________ the laws of the land.
When George Washington was president, people recognized that one person could not carry out the duties of
the President without advice and assistance. The _______________ __________________, department heads
(Cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies assist in this capacity
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Use the Judicial Branch link to answer the following questions
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/judicial.html
8. The judicial branch of government is established in Article III of the ________________ with the creation of
the _____________ ____________.
Use the Supreme Court link to answer the following questions
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/judicial.html
9. The Supreme Court, part of the judicial branch, was established in the Constitution as the ____________
____________ in the nation. The Supreme Court’s most important responsibility is to decide cases that raise
questions of _____________________ _____________________. The Court decides if a law or government
action violates the Constitution. This is known as____________ _____________. It enables the Court to
overrule both federal and state laws when they conflict with its _________________ of the Constitution
Use the Legislative branch link to answer the following questions
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/legislative.html
10. Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative or ____________ making branch of government with
the formation of a _______________ Congress.
Bicameral means:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Use the Congress link to answer the following question.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/national/congress.html
11. The United States Congress is part of the legislative branch and is made up of two houses – the
________________ _______ _________________ and the _________________. The primary duty of
Congress is to _______________. ________________, and ___________ ___________, which are then passed
on to the president for approval. Other congressional duties include investigating pressing national issues and
supervising the executive and judicial branches.
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