CONTENT STATEMENT
- The U.S. Constitution established a federal republic, providing a framework for a national government with elected representatives, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The federal government established by the U.S. Constitution divides power among a federal government and states. This allows both levels of government some degree of independence.
The United States is a republic in which elected officials representing the people make laws and public policy.
The U.S. Constitution provides for separation of powers among the three branches of government which includes:
- a legislative branch that makes laws;
- an executive branch that enforces laws; and
- a judicial branch that interprets laws.
The U.S. Constitution also provides for a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government. These checks and balances include the:
- power of the President to veto acts of Congress;
- power of Congress to approve presidential appointments, override Presidential veto, and impeachment; and
- power of Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional through judicial review and override lower court decisions.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Describe and give examples of how the U.S. Constitution created a federal system, representative democracy, separation of powers, and checks and balances.