Directions: A responsible citizen of the United States understands how the constitutional principle of checks and balances protects the three branches of government. You will develop a presentation or write an essay about the effectiveness of the system of checks and balances related during a particular administration, congress/legislature, or court. You must:
·
State
a position that evaluates whether the system of checks and balances worked during
a particular Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature by evaluating
whether it prevented one branch from exercising too much power.
· Provide background on
your position by describing the Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature.
· Provide background on
your position by explaining how one
branch checked or could have checked another during this time with two or more
examples.
Provide
reason (s) for your position that include:
· An evaluation of whether one branch increased its power
during this
Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature relative to another
with two or more examples to support your position.
Make
explicit references within the paper or presentation to three or more credible sources
that provide relevant information AND cite sources within the essay.
1.
INTRODUCTION
a) Explain Checks and Balances- why
is it important?
b) Background information of your
selected Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature
c)
State your position (Thesis Statement) – Did checks and balances work during this
Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature? (one to two sentences)
·
2.
EXAMPLE
#1 (SUPPORTING YOUR POSITION)
3.
EXAMPLE
#2 (SUPPORTING YOUR POSITION)
4.
CONCLUSION
President Barack Obama Resources
President George W. Bush Resources
Was Checks and Balances Effective
During the Obama Administration?
The system
of Checks and Balances is a unique feature of the system of checks and balances
to help ensure that no one branch became too powerful. Each branch has powers
that it can use to check and balance the operations and power of the other two
branches. The Legislative branch is responsible for creating and passing laws
that all American citizens must follow. They also have the ability to check the
Executive Branch by approving Presidential appointments. The Executive Branch
is responsible for executing laws that were established by the Legislative
Branch. The Executive Branch has the ability to check the Legislative branch by
vetoing legislation passed by Congress. The Judicial Branch is responsible
interpreting the laws and determining if actions are constitutional. The
Judicial branch has the ability to check Congress by declaring whether
legislation is constitutional or not.
