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Analyze Government
Structure

Understand the three branches of the U.S. government and how separation of powers and checks and balances shape its design.

GED Social Studies

Why Government Structure Matters

The U.S. Constitution divides power so that no single person or group can control the entire government. This structure protects liberty by spreading authority across separate parts that each have their own role.

Three Key Terms

Separation of Powers
Government is divided into three branches, each with distinct duties.
Checks and Balances
Each branch can limit the actions of the other two.
Federalism
Power is shared between the national and state governments.

The Three Branches

U.S. Federal Government Legislative Congress House & Senate Makes laws Executive President Cabinet Enforces laws Judicial Supreme Court Federal Courts Interprets laws U.S. Constitution Creates all branches

The Legislative Branch

1
Congress is made up of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
2
House: 435 members based on state population. Members serve 2-year terms.
3
Senate: 100 members, two per state. Senators serve 6-year terms.
4
Main power: writes and passes laws, controls federal spending, and declares war.

Executive & Judicial

Executive Branch
Led by the President, who enforces laws, commands the military, and signs or vetoes bills. Includes the Vice President and the Cabinet.
Judicial Branch
Led by the Supreme Court, which interprets laws and rules whether they follow the Constitution. Includes lower federal courts.

Checks and Balances

The core rule of the U.S. government: no branch can become too powerful. Each branch has tools to limit the other two, forcing them to cooperate.

How Branches Check Each Other

Legislative Congress Executive President Judicial Courts Can override veto Vetoes bills Confirms judges Reviews laws Appoints judges Can rule actions unconstitutional

Separation vs. Checks

Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
Main Idea Splits duties into 3 branches Lets branches limit each other
Goal Each branch has its own role Prevents any branch from over-reaching
Example Congress makes laws President can veto laws

How to Analyze a Question

1
Identify the branch. Ask which branch the action belongs to: making, enforcing, or interpreting laws.
2
Name the power. Match the action to a specific power, like vetoing, confirming, or reviewing.
3
Check the target. Decide which other branch is being limited or supported.
4
Conclude. State whether the action is a check, an exclusive power, or shared.

Worked Example: The Veto

Scenario: Congress passes a bill. The President refuses to sign it and sends it back. Which power is being used, and what kind of action is it?

Worked Example: Judicial Review

Scenario: The Supreme Court rules that a new federal law violates the Constitution and strikes it down. Identify the branch and the check.

Worked Example: Override

Scenario: After the President vetoes a bill, Congress votes again. With a two-thirds vote in both houses, the bill becomes law anyway. This is the override rule: \( \frac{2}{3} \) of each house.

Common Mistakes

✕ Mixing Up Roles
Thinking the President makes laws. The President only enforces or vetoes them; Congress makes laws.
✕ Forgetting the Courts
Ignoring the Judicial branch. Courts interpret laws and can strike them down through judicial review.
✕ Wrong Vote Count
Believing a simple majority overrides a veto. It actually takes a \( \frac{2}{3} \) vote in both houses.

Branch Summary

Branch Who Main Job
Legislative Congress Makes laws
Executive President Enforces laws
Judicial Supreme Court Interprets laws

Question 1 of 5

Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?

Question 2 of 5

When the President vetoes a bill passed by Congress, this is an example of:

Question 3 of 5

What fraction of votes in both houses of Congress is needed to override a presidential veto?

Question 4 of 5

The Supreme Court rules that a federal law is unconstitutional. This power is called:

Question 5 of 5

Dividing the government into three separate branches with distinct duties is known as: