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Separation of powers in the United States of America

In the United States of America power is divided between three branches. Each branch has its own area of responsibility, but at the same time each branch monitors the work of the other two branches, and has power to take action if mistakes or misconduct is perceived.
The US Capitol building in Washington D.C.
The US Capitol building in Washington D.C. is home to the legislative branch. Image: Pixabay ID 1778011 / CC BY-SA 4.0

The executive branch

The president is elected by the people as a leader of their country. Since America is a super power, his position carries a great deal of influence around the world. The president is head of the executive branch. The executive branch governs the country and enforces laws. It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, and executive departments. The president also appoints people to a number of important offices. The president is often called "the most powerful man in the world", and while there is some truth to that, there are important limits to a president's power.

In order to be able to govern the country, the executive branch has to get approval for the budget. Only Congress can approve the budget. If the country is in a situation abroad where a war might happen, the president may threaten to go to war, but only Congress can declare war. The President may choose a candidate for the Supreme Court, but the candidate must be confirmed by the Senate.

If a president does something wrong he may be impeached. If this is to happen the House of Representatives must first vote to agree that an impeachment trial is to be held. At the trial the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides, and a two thirds majority vote in the Senate is required to convict. If convicted the president will no longer be president. Only three US presidents have been impeached, but none have been convicted. President Trump is the only president to have been impeached twice.


Checking and balancing the system of government

The US government is designed so that decisions that get made get checked. It is divided into three 'branches': the Executive branch, the Legislative branch and the Judicial branch. Each branch has its own tasks. By dividing the power in three, no single branch can do anything without the approval or 'check' of at least one of the other two. This system is called "check and balance". This system provides citizens with the comfort that actions and decisions - even declaring war - will be discussed, debated and properly approved by the elected officials.


Comprehension

1. Name the three branches of government?
2. What does "check and balance" mean?

A Triangular-Shaped System

The three branches form a triangle. They are connected but have their separate corners. The Executive Branch includes the President and his Cabinet. Their main role is administrative. The Legislative Branch is the Congress which is made up of elected Senators and Representatives and their main function is to make laws. The Judicial Branch is the Supreme Court and District Courts. They have the responsibility of making sure that decisions and laws are constitutional.

Comprehension

1. Which branch makes the laws?
2. Which branch does the President belong to?
3. What do the words "constitutional" and "unconstitutional" mean?

Tasks and Activities

Reading Diagrams

Study the 3 diagrams and then try the interactive tasks in the link collection.

Illustration that shows how the constitution is above the three branches of the US government.
Image: Amendor AS / CC BY-SA 4.0
Illustration: Diagram that shows what power the different branches have over each other.
Image: Amendor AS / CC BY-SA 4.0
Illustration. We see that the legislative branch and the executive branch are elected by the people. For the head of the judiciary branch, the Supreme Court, the justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Image: Amendor AS / CC BY-SA 4.0

Discussion

What reasons did the Founding Fathers of the Constitution have in creating three branches
of government?

Writing

Write one paragraph in which you explain the term "checks and balances".

Extra

In the link collection you will find a video clip, "A Promise of Freedom" produced by the
US Government, which focuses on the history and founding of the US nation. It presents the important rights and responsibilities of US citizenship.

Related content

Subject material
Checks and Balances

To understand the division of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, one must know the term: checks and balances.