AMERICAN CIVILIZATION MIDTERM
Separation of power
Power Legislative Executive Judicial
Name The Congress The President & the Supreme Court (9)
Cabinet
Functions Law-making Law-enforcement Interpret laws
Separation of power (3 branches) and Checks & balances (with example)
The 3 branches check and balance each other to prevent tyranny.
- The legislative branch makes laws, but the President can veto those laws with a
Presidential Veto.
- Then they discuss it again, and if both Houses agree 2/3 rd, it will become a law
regardless.
- President: Commander in chief, but no right to declare war only the Congress
- Congress can impeach the President
- Senate can vote in favor of convicting the President (2/3 rd)
- President picks the nominee to become a member of the Supreme Court but the Senate
votes whether to confirm the nominee or not.
- Judicial branch can strike down an unconstitutional law made by Congress, and also
has the power to impeach Supreme Court justices
Who can become…
Criteria A senator A representative The President
Age 30+ 25+ 35+
Term 6 years (rotating) 2 years 4 years
US residence 9+ years 7+ years 14+ years
Additional info Residency in the state - Naturally born US citizen
How is the president elected?
Polls Asking the people who they want as the President.
Census (counting the population)
Electoral college (no direct voting for the president, but for electors – impartial
politicians, but NOT representatives – who will vote for the president)
538 electors
The winner takes all.
If 50% + 1 person takes the whole state, so enough to win half of the state
270 electoral votes are needed to become a president
They distribute the votes, then the rest is taken from the big ones.
In Hungary 1=1, but in California 1<1
Voting turnout = The people who showed up and voted
Separation of power
Power Legislative Executive Judicial
Name The Congress The President & the Supreme Court (9)
Cabinet
Functions Law-making Law-enforcement Interpret laws
Separation of power (3 branches) and Checks & balances (with example)
The 3 branches check and balance each other to prevent tyranny.
- The legislative branch makes laws, but the President can veto those laws with a
Presidential Veto.
- Then they discuss it again, and if both Houses agree 2/3 rd, it will become a law
regardless.
- President: Commander in chief, but no right to declare war only the Congress
- Congress can impeach the President
- Senate can vote in favor of convicting the President (2/3 rd)
- President picks the nominee to become a member of the Supreme Court but the Senate
votes whether to confirm the nominee or not.
- Judicial branch can strike down an unconstitutional law made by Congress, and also
has the power to impeach Supreme Court justices
Who can become…
Criteria A senator A representative The President
Age 30+ 25+ 35+
Term 6 years (rotating) 2 years 4 years
US residence 9+ years 7+ years 14+ years
Additional info Residency in the state - Naturally born US citizen
How is the president elected?
Polls Asking the people who they want as the President.
Census (counting the population)
Electoral college (no direct voting for the president, but for electors – impartial
politicians, but NOT representatives – who will vote for the president)
538 electors
The winner takes all.
If 50% + 1 person takes the whole state, so enough to win half of the state
270 electoral votes are needed to become a president
They distribute the votes, then the rest is taken from the big ones.
In Hungary 1=1, but in California 1<1
Voting turnout = The people who showed up and voted
