Separation of Powers
division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
How Executive checks Legislative
First Amendment
guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition
Second Amendment
Right to bear arms
How bill becomes a law
Both the House and Senate have approved a bill in identical form, the bill is sent to the President. If the President approves of the legislation, it is signed and becomes law
Purpose of Separation of powers
to prevent abuses of power and avoid autocracy.
How Judaical Checks Legislative
Supreme Court can overturn laws
3rd Amendment
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The United States is labeled a republic as opposed to a direct democracy?
We vote on representatives
Powers of Judicial Branch
What is ... Interpreting state laws;Settling legal disputes; Punishing violators of the law; Hearing civil cases; Protecting individual rights granted by the state constitution; Determining the guilt or innocence of those accused of violating the criminal laws of the state;
How Legislative checks Judicial
1. overturn court decisions by amendments
2. impeach judges
6th
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial
7th Amendment
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Which amendment changed the manner in which the House of Senate was elected?
17th Amendment modified Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution by allowing voters to cast direct votes for U.S. senators
What is ... makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies
How Executive checks Judicial and vis versa
1. presidents appoint judges
2. Supreme court can overturn executive orders
8th Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
9th Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
What is the total number of electoral votes? Where does this number come from?
538
Electoral votes are allocated among the States based on the Census. Every State is allocated a number of votes equal to the number of senators and representatives in its U.S. Congressional delegation—two votes for its senators in the U.S. Senate plus a number of votes equal to the number of its Congressional districts.
Powers of Executive branch
What is ... carries out and enforces laws
1. Impeach president
2. Approve treaties and appointments
3. Override veto
13th Amendment
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
14th Amendment
All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
List the historical instances in which the popular vote did not match the electoral vote.
1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016, in which the Electoral College winners (or House of Representatives winners in the case of 1824 election) lost the popular vote.