1. United States Government Basics

2. 7 Principles of Government

3. Federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which the states and national government share powers. The Framers used federalism to structure the Constitution.
The Constitution assigns certain powers to the national government. These are enumerated/delegated powers.
Powers kept by the states are reserved powers.
Powers shared or exercised by national and state governments are known as concurrent powers.

4. Separation of Powers
Established in order to avoid having too much power might fall into the hands of a single group
This principle creates the division of basic government roles into 3 branches. No one branch is given all the power.
Articles 1,2, and 3 of the Constitution detail how powers are split among the three branches

5. Checks and Balances
Based on the philosophy of Baron de Montesquieu, an 18th-century French thinker, "Power should be a check to power.“
Each branch of government can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches. Though the branches of government are separate, they rely on one another to perform the work of government.
This ensures that the branches work together fairly.

6. Bicameral Legislature
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Legislature

7. Congress
Both houses must approve all legislation before the president can sign it
Can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote
Majority rule for most votes

8. Congress Majority Party controls schedule in each house
Speaker of the House most powerful member of Congress

9. Senate The “Upper House” of Congress
Originally chosen by state legislatures
100 members – 2 per state
At least 30 years old
9 years US citizen
Resident of state elected from

10. Senate Powers granted by Constitution
Confirms presidential appointments like federal judges and Cabinet members
Holds impeachment trials
Approves all treaties with foreign governments

11. House of Representatives The “Lower House” of Congress
435 members
Minimum of 1 per state
At least 25 years old
7 years US citizen
Resident of state and district elected from

12. House of Representatives Power granted by Constitution
Starts all bills that call for spending of money
Starts impeachment proceedings
Breaks ties in Electoral College

13. Executive Branch

14. President Must be at least 35 Natural born citizen
14 years residency in the US
Can serve only 2 terms (22nd Amendment)
These apply to VP also

15. President as Chief Executive
Develops federal policy
Enforces the law
Appoints federal officials
Prepares the national budget

16. President’s Role Commander-in-Chief of the military
Makes foreign policy
Chief of State
Symbolic representative
of the nation
Annual State of the Union address

17. President’s Powers Enforces federal laws Grants reprieves and pardon
Appoints federal judges, ambassadors, Cabinet members
Make treaties
Can veto legislation

18. Judicial Branch Supreme Court only court created by the Constitution
All other federal courts created by Congress
All federal judges appointed by president and approved by Senate

19. Supreme Court
No stated requirements for office, but usually experience as a lawyer or lower federal judge
Lifetime appointment
9 members

20. Supreme Court Powers Final say on cases involving federal law
Final say on cases involving 2 or more states
Cases involving foreign ambassadors

21. Supreme Court (cont) Decides issues of Constitutional law
Most cases come on appeal from a lower federal court
Cases can be appealed from a state court
Decisions by majority vote
Decisions are final

22. Supreme Court (cont.) Greatest Power is Judicial Review
Supreme Court has final say on what is and is not constitutional