Branches of Government – AP US Government | ShowMeClass

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Branches of Government

AP US Government · Unit 1: Foundations

Learning Objectives

Identify the three branches & their primary powers

Explain checks and balances between branches

Understand separation of powers (Montesquieu)

Recognize examples of each check in action

Constitutional Basis

Article I — Legislative (Congress)
Article II — Executive (President)
Article III — Judicial (Supreme Court)

Key idea: No single branch can dominate; each can limit the others.

Legend

Legislative

Executive

Judicial

Check / Balance

SeparationChecksBalancesFederalism

View:Overview

Focus:All

Legislative

Article I

Executive

Article II

Judicial

Article III

Checks

6

Principle

Separation

Focus Branch

Show Checks

Scenarios

Details

Quick Quiz▼

1. Which branch has the power to declare laws unconstitutional?

Legislative Executive Judicial The states

2. Congress can override a presidential veto with:

Simple majority Two-thirds vote in both chambers Three-fourths vote Unanimous vote

3. Federal judges serve:

4-year terms 6-year terms Life terms (good behavior) 10-year terms