American Government

Three branches of government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches that have distinct powers and responsibilities.

Legislative branch

Makes laws, oversees government actions, and checks the executive and judicial branches.

Executive branch

Enforces laws, proposes budgets, and manages diplomacy with foreign nations.

Judicial branch

Interprets laws, applies justice, and checks the powers of the legislative and executive branches.

Checks and balances

System that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful and each can limit the actions of the others.

Public policy

The institutional actions by government to carry out functions and address societal issues.

Interest groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy and government actions.

Campaigning

Activities by individuals or organizations to influence elections and public policy.

Fiscal policy

Government policies that manage the economy through spending and tax policies.

Monetary policy

Actions by the Federal Reserve to regulate the money supply and influence the economy.

Public demonstrations

Ways for citizens to express their views and engage with the government on policies.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee specific rights to individuals.

14th Amendment

Ensures equal protection under the law and applies the Bill of Rights to state governments.

Civil liberties

Individual rights protected from government interference by the Constitution.

Reconstruction Amendments

13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments that abolished slavery and granted citizenship and voting rights.

Electoral College

System established by Constitution for the indirect election of the President and Vice President.

Constitutional amendments

Changes made to the Constitution which alter its original provisions or add new ones.

Impeachment

Process by which the legislative branch can remove the president or judges from office.

Executive orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Writs of certiorari

Orders by a higher court to review the decisions of lower courts.

Amicus curiae briefs

Documents submitted by non-litigants to advise the court on a legal issue.

Veto

The power of the president to reject legislation passed by Congress.

Budget Office

Agency that provides economic and budget analyses to Congress.