1. SS4H5.c The student will analyze the challenges faced by the nation.
d. Identify and explain the rights in the
Bill of Rights, describe how the Bill of Rights
Places limits on the power of government, and explain the reasons for its inclusion in the Constitution in 1791

2. Essential Question:
How do the three branches of government work and how are the powers limited?

3. Review:
Democracy –
a government in which the people have the power to make political decisions.
Checks and balances –
a system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
Veto-
To reject
Unconstitutional –
does not agree with the constitution
Amendment –
a change made to the constitution.

4. The Constitution The ________ was our new plan for government.
It is based on the idea of ____ ____
-which means the people have the power to rule.
It tells us that our government is a ___________-where the people have the power to make political decisions
constitution
popular sovereignty
democracy

5. The Constitution outlines the government into three ______.
branches
The _______ Branch- makes the laws
The _______ Branch – makes sure the laws are put into action
The _______ Branch – settles disputes with the law and makes sure they are fair.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

6. “We the People of the United States..”
These are the first words of the Preamble or beginning of the Constitution. They tell us that our government is based on the fact that people have the power to rule.
The Constitution tells us that our government is a democracy.
This means that citizens take part in making laws and choosing leaders.
The Constitution describes how we choose our representatives and how the government works.

7. Limits on the Government
The Constitution includes checks and balances. This keeps one branch from becoming stronger than the others.

9. How it works:
Congress may pass laws but the President can veto them.
The President can veto laws but Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote.
The President and Congress may agree on a law but the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional.
The President can appoint Judges and other government officials but Senate must approve them.
Supreme Court judges have life terms but they can be impeached and removed by Congress.

10. How our government works:
The Constitution created a federal system.
The national government has power over issues that affect everyone in the nation.
Some of these issues are:
-defense of our country
-printing money
-the postal service
-trade with other countries

11. State governments: State governments have power over local issues.
Some of these issues are:
-education
-elections
Both systems-federal and state- collect taxes and set up courts.

12. The Constitution: Federal laws are stronger than state laws.
The highest law in the land is the Constitution.
The Constitution can be amended or changed as the country changes.

13. Essential Question:
How do the three branches of government work and how are the powers limited?