The 3 Branches
This branch of government enforces the laws.
What is the Executive Branch?
The President can veto a law, but this branch can override the veto with a two-thirds vote.
What is the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
This amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920.
What is the 19th Amendment?
This is the responsibility that helps pay for schools, roads, and the military.
What is paying taxes?
Category: Citizen Rights
This First Amendment freedom lets citizens share their opinions without fear of punishment.
What is freedom of speech?
This branch can settle disputes between states and decide if government actions are unconstitutional.
What is the judicial branch?
The President appoints ambassadors and judges, but this branch must approve those appointments.
What is the Senate (Legislative Branch)?
This right means the government cannot create or support an official religion.
What is freedom of religion / separation of church and state?
This is the responsibility that helps make sure trials are fair and equal.
What is serving on a jury?
Category: Checks & Balances
Congress passes a law, but the President rejects it. Congress then votes with two-thirds of both houses to undo the President’s decision. What is this process called?
What is overriding a veto?
The head of this branch also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the military.
what is the Executive branch
The president needs this group’s approval to make treaties.
What is the Senate?
This right protects citizens from punishment or imprisonment without a fair trial.
What is habeas corpus?
This responsibility means keeping up with current issues, leaders, and laws.
What is staying informed (civic duty)?
Category: Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court uses this power to cancel laws or government actions that violate the Constitution.
What is judicial review?
This branch can impeach the President, but another branch puts the President on trial.
What is the Legislative Branch (House impeaches, Senate tries)?
The Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, but this is the only way Congress can remove them.
What is impeachment and conviction?
This right ensures that the press can publish news and ideas without government control.
What is freedom of the press?
This responsibility is required of all men aged 18–25 in case the nation needs soldiers
What is civic responsibility (or civic duty)?
Category: The 3 Branches
This branch of government has the power to approve judges, override vetoes, and impeach the President.
What is the legislative Branch?
This branch can pardon people accused of crimes.
What is the Executive Branch (President)?
The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, but this branch has the power to amend the Constitution to make the law valid.
What is the Legislative Branch (with states)?
This right lets people bring complaints or requests directly to the government without fear of punishment.
What is the right to petition the government?
A citizen writes a letter to their representative about a new law they disagree with. This shows both a right and a responsibility. Which ones?
The right to petition the government AND the responsibility to stay informed/participate in government.
Category: The Constitution
This system was built into the Constitution to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful while protecting citizens’ rights.
What is Checks and Balances?