Lesson 3 Flashcards
What tells us that our government is a Democracy?
THE CONSTITUTION
How many branches does the Constitution divide the government into?
THREE
What are the three branches of government and what does each do?
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
What does the Legislative Branch do?
o MAKES LAWS
o COLLECTS TAXES TO PAY FOR SERVICES
What does the Executive Branch do?
CARRIES OUT LAWS – THE PRESIDENT IS THE HEAD OF THIS BRANCH
What does the Judicial Branch do?
IS MADE UP OF COURTS THAT DECIDE WHAT LAWS MEAN AND WHETHER LAWS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED
Does everyone, including the government and its officials have to follow the same laws?
yes
What does the Constitution include to keep one branch from becoming stronger than the other?
CHECKS AND BALANCES
What are some examples of how CHECKS AND BALANCES work?
The PRESIDENT can Veto (officially reject) a law that CONGRESS creates
CONGRESS can reject a treaty that the PRESIDENT makes.
THE COURTS can say a law made by CONGRESS and enforced by the PRESIDENT is unconstitutional.
What kind of system does the constitution create?
A FEDERAL SYSTEM
Who has power over national issues?
THE NATIONAL (FEDERAL) GOVERNMENT
What are some FEDERAL or NATIONAL issues?
DEFENSE – PRINTING MONEY – THE POSTAL SERVICE – TRADE.
Who has power over local issues?
THE STATES
What are some State issues?
EDUCATION – ELECTIONS
What are some things that both the Federal and States do?
COLLECT TAXES – SET UP LAWS AND COURTS.
