3.2.b iCivics Three Branches: Checks & Balances

​Three Branches: Checks and Balances

By GARY NEAL

Three Branches: Checks & Balances

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to explain the system of checks and balances

• Students will be able to explain the roles of the three branches of government

Overview

Why does the U.S. government have three “branches”? What are these branches, and how do they interact? In this WebQuest, you’ll dig deep to find out the role each branch plays and the ways it balances out the other branches.

There Are Three Branches

You probably already know this. But if you’re not sure, this isn’t a webquest about trees… it’s about our government!

The three “branches” of the U.S. government are three separate parts of our government. Each part has its own special function.

Branches of the U.S. government | USAGovLockwarning

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Open Ended

List each branch of Government and what each does.

Fill in the Blanks

What famous document created the three branches of government?

Why Three?

Why not an even four? Or a lucky seven? Why not make it easy and just have one?

Why have branches of government at all?

Follow the link to read Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution... and an explanation of all this branch business!

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Open Ended

Why did the people who wrote the Constitution create different branches of government?

Open Ended

What do you think it means that “each branch would be a check on the power of the other two branches”? 

Uzbekistan president wins referendum on extending powers | Uzbekistan | The Guardian

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What constitutional change was approved in Uzbekistan?

Open Ended

Who benefits the most from the amended constitution in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan - The World FactbookButton to search CIA content.Arrow Right IconArrow Right IconWorld Factbook GlyphArrow Right IconArrow Right IconArrow Right IconPoint Down IconWorld Factbook GlyphArrow Right IconPoint Down IconInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInYouTubeFlickrTelegram

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Open Ended

Click on “Government” in the table of contents on the left on the website on the previous slide. Look where it says “government type.” What does it say?

Open Ended

Scroll down a little and read the description of the legislative branch. Summarize how members of the Senate are chosen. Explain whether Uzbekistan's branches are fully separate.

Checks and Balances

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Drag and Drop

The judicial branch can check the other branches by declaring laws ​

Placeholder

​ and by interpreting ​

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.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

laws

unconstitutional

valid

enforceable

irrelevant

bills

Open Ended

If the president checks the legislative branch by vetoing a bill, what can the legislative branch do?

Open Ended

The president has the power to nominate judges. How can the legislative branch check that power?

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Multiple Choice

Which president issued the most regular vetoes?

• Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Lyndon B. Johnson
• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Harry S. Truman

Multiple Choice

Which president only issued one veto?

• Calvin Coolidge
• Abraham Lincoln
• James Buchanan
• James Monroe

Multiple Choice

Give the date of the most recent bill vetoed by President Biden. (Careful—the dates are in reverse order)

• April 5, 2023
• February 15, 2023
• January 10, 2023
• December 23, 2024

Multiple Choice

What was the subject of the last bill President Biden vetoed?

• The approval of a new healthcare plan.
• The funding for a new infrastructure project.
• The establishment of a national holiday.
• Judges Act of 2024

Open Ended

Why does the president include a message with the veto? 

Multiple Choice

How many Senators does it take to override a veto?

• 75
• 60
• 50
• 67

Multiple Choice

How many members of the House of Representatives does it take to override a veto? 

• 280
• 300
• 250
• 290

FAQs: Federal JudgesLock

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Multiple Choice

For which courts does the president get to appoint judges?

• International Courts
• Military Courts
• State Courts
• Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals, and District Courts

WashingtonPost.com_ Judiciary Committee Approves Article to Impeach President Nixon, 27 to 1.pdf - Google Drive

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Multiple Choice

What is the date of article?

• July 28, 1974

• June 27, 1974

• August 1, 1974

• July 20, 1974

Multiple Choice

Which president is involved?

• Richard Nixon
• Gerald Ford
• John F. Kennedy
• Lyndon B. Johnson

Multiple Choice

Which part of the legislative branch would vote to impeach the president?

• The House of Representatives
• The Cabinet
• The Supreme Court
• The Senate

Multiple Choice

Which part of the legislative branch would hold the trial and vote to remove the president from office?

• The House of Representatives
• The Supreme Court
• The Cabinet
• The Senate