Teacher Fact Sheet (Checks and Balances)

After the creation of the three branches, the idea of checks and
balances was created.
Checks and balances are also known as separation of powers.
Separation of powers between three branches of government;
executive, judicial, and legislative branch.
Review with students
Executive Branch
o President, also acts as head of state and
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces
o Vice President
o Cabinet and federal agencies, responsible for
enforcement and administration of federal laws
Legislative Branch
o House of Representatives
o Senate
o Together known as the Congress
o Authority to enact legislation and declare war, the
right to confirm or reject many Presidential
appointments
Judicial Branch
o Federal judiciaries
o Supreme Court
Each branch of the government is restrained by the other two
branches
No one branch is able to have too much power

Plan on making some kind of diagram to show example of how

checks and balance process works

Example: Process of how laws are made

o Legislative branch introduces and votes on a bill
o Bill then goes to the Executive branch where the President
decides if he will sign the bill or not
o If the President vetoes a bill, the legislative branch can
vote again and override the Executive branches veto

Provide other examples for students

The President (executive branch) and Congress (legislative

branch) may agree on a law but the Supreme Court (judicial
branch) can declare a law unconstitutional

The President can appoint judges and other government officials

but the Senate must approve them

The Courts can declare presidential acts unconstitutional

The President can veto congressional legislation

Congress approves presidential nominations and controls the

budget

Congress can impeach judges

http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/lesson_13_notes.htm
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/judicial-branch