Show:
The Branches of Government 1
The Branches of Government 2
Federal and State Powers
Bill of Rights
Vocabulary
100
This branch of government makes the laws.
What is the legislative branch?
100
This branch of government has the power to collect taxes, regulate trade, declare war, and override vetoes.
What can the legislative branch do?
100
These powers are clearly listed or numbered in the Constitution.
What are expressed (or enumerated) powers?
100
Protects your freedoms of speech, religion, assembly and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
100
This is the power of a president to refuse to sign bills into law.
What is a veto?
200
This branch of government enforces, or carries out, laws.
What is the executive branch?
200
This branch of government commands the armed forces, makes treaties, grants pardons, and appoints federal justices.
What can the executive branch do?
200
These powers are not clearly written in the Constitution, but are suggested, as many laws are "necessary and proper" to the function of government (e.g. the power to print postage stamps).
What are implied powers?
200
Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
200
This is a change to the Constitution.
What is an amendment?
300
This branch of government interprets the law.
What is the judicial branch?
300
This branch of government conducts criminal and civil trials and can declare laws to be in violation of the Constitution.
What can the judicial branch do?
300
These are powers that either the federal or state governments do not have (e.g. the states may not coin/print money or establish armies).
What are denied powers?
300
Protects the rights of the accused (including the right to grand jury indictment, the right not to testify against oneself, and due process).

"I plead the fifth".

What is the Fifth Amendment?
300
This is the division of power between a central (national or federal) government and regional (state and local) government.
What is federalism?
400
The division of government into three branches in order to restrict the accumulation of power by any one person or body.
What is the separation of powers?
400
This branch of government's leaders are chosen by the electoral college.
What can the executive branch do?
400
These powers belong to both federal and state governments (e.g. the powers to collect taxes, make and enforce laws, and establish courts).
What are concurrent (or shared) powers?
400
Protects against excessive fines and bail and against cruel or unusual punishments.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
400

This gives congress (the government) power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

What is the elastic clause?
500
A system of restrictions placed on individual branches of government by the other branches of government to maintain a balance of power.
What is the system of checks and balances?
500

How does the executive branch "check" the legislative branch?

The executive branch can check the legislative branch by vetoing a bill.

500
All powers not belonging to the federal government but to the states (e.g. the powers to establish schools and set speed limits).
What are reserved powers?
500
Protects the rights of those on trial (including a speedy, public jury trial of one's peers; access to an attorney; and the rights to obtain and confront witnesses for and against).
What is the Sixth Amendment?
500
This is the act of formally accusing a public official (e.g. the president) of a crime that can result in removal from office.
What is impeachment?