UNIT 6, CHP 2: Structures, Powers, and Function of the U.S. Government

Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill

🇺🇸 Unit 6 Chapter 2 Study Guide

Structures, Powers, and Functions of the U.S. Government

⭐ Key Principles of Government

  • Popular Sovereignty → Power comes from the people
    Example: “We the People”

  • Rule of Law → Everyone must follow the law (even leaders)

  • Federalism → Power is shared between national and state governments

  • Checks and Balances → Each branch can limit the power of the others

🏛️ The Three Branches of Government

1. Legislative Branch (Congress)

  • Makes laws

  • Declares war

  • Controls money (taxes/spending)

  • Can impeach officials

2. Executive Branch (President)

  • Enforces laws

  • Can veto bills

  • Appoints judges and officials

  • Leads the military

3. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

  • Interprets laws

  • Declares laws unconstitutional

  • Judges serve for life

⚖️ Checks and Balances (Important!)

Know these key examples:

  • President → veto laws

  • Congress → override veto & impeach

  • Supreme Court → declare laws unconstitutional

  • President → appoints judges

  • Congress → approves appointments

👉 Main idea: No branch gets too powerful

🧠 Separation of Powers

  • Power is divided into 3 branches

  • Each branch has its own job

  • This protects freedom and prevents abuse of power

    🗳️ How Laws Are Made

  1. Bill passes Congress

  2. Goes to the President

  3. President can:

    • Sign it → becomes law

    • Veto it → goes back to Congress

    • Do nothing → becomes law after 10 days

      🗳️ Electoral College

  • People vote for electors, not directly for president

  • Electors vote for president

  • Most states = winner-take-all

✏️ Amending the Constitution

  • 2/3 of Congress must approve

  • 3/4 of states must ratify

🌎 Federal vs State Powers

Federal (National) Powers

  • Coin money

  • Declare war

  • Regulate trade
    👉 Called Enumerated Powers

State Powers

  • Education

  • Health & safety
    👉 Called Reserved Powers

Shared Powers

  • Tax

  • Borrow money
    👉 Called Concurrent Powers

📊 Key Vocabulary

  • Appropriation → money set aside for a purpose

  • Popular Vote → votes cast by citizens

  • Appeal → asking a higher court to review a case

  • Executive Order → law made by the president

  • Concurrent Powers → shared powers

📖 Important Ideas from Sources

  • James Madison (Federalist 47) → No one branch should have too much power

  • Montesquieu → Separation of powers protects freedom

🔥 Big Ideas to Remember

  • Government power comes from the people

  • Power is divided AND shared

  • Each branch checks the others

  • The Constitution can change, but it’s difficult

Essay: How does separation of powers support checks and balances in the United States government?