What Is In the Constitution

Grade levels:

CONTENT STATEMENT

  1. 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.

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