KEY TERMS
Branches of the federal government: The executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch. (H5c)
Checks and balances: The system for preventing any branch of government from becoming too powerful. Each branch of government has its own powers. Each branch also has some powers that can check, or overturn, certain decisions made by another branch. (CG3d)
Common good: Something that benefits society as a whole, not only an individual. (GC4a, b)
Executive branch of the federal government: The branch that includes the president. It is responsible for managing the country and enforcing laws. (H5c, CG3a, b, c)
Federal government: The national government as it is defined in the United States Constitution. (CG1c)
Freedom of expression: This term refers to the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government. (GC2)
Judicial branch of the federal government: The branch that has the main responsibility of deciding whether new laws are constitutional. It is headed by the Supreme Court. (H5c, CG3a, b)
Legislative branch of the federal government: The branch that makes new laws and creates the federal government’s budget. It is also called Congress. It is divided into two parts. They are called the Senate and the House of Representatives. (H5c, CG3e) Separation of powers: The division of government into equally powerful branches. (H5c)
Branches of the federal government: The executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch. (H5c)
Checks and balances: The system for preventing any branch of government from becoming too powerful. Each branch of government has its own powers. Each branch also has some powers that can check, or overturn, certain decisions made by another branch. (CG3d)
Common good: Something that benefits society as a whole, not only an individual. (GC4a, b)
Executive branch of the federal government: The branch that includes the president. It is responsible for managing the country and enforcing laws. (H5c, CG3a, b, c)
Federal government: The national government as it is defined in the United States Constitution. (CG1c)
Freedom of expression: This term refers to the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government. (GC2)
Judicial branch of the federal government: The branch that has the main responsibility of deciding whether new laws are constitutional. It is headed by the Supreme Court. (H5c, CG3a, b)
Legislative branch of the federal government: The branch that makes new laws and creates the federal government’s budget. It is also called Congress. It is divided into two parts. They are called the Senate and the House of Representatives. (H5c, CG3e) Separation of powers: The division of government into equally powerful branches. (H5c)