The document provides a cheat sheet on the U.S. government, outlining the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches at the federal level. It also discusses federalism and the division of powers between the national and state governments. The summary includes the three branches of government, their roles and key members, as well as an overview of the principles of limited government and separation of powers that form the basis of the U.S. system.

1. U.S. Government Cheat Sheet
Separation of Powers Federalism
Executive Branch Judicial Branch National Government
(Carries out the laws) (Interprets the laws) (Delegated Powers)
Membership Membership • Coin money
• Maintain armed forces
• President—Barack Obama • Supreme Court—9 members
• Declare war
• Chief Justice—John Roberts
• Vice President—Joseph Biden
Term
• Regulate interstate & foreign commerce
• Cabinet • Make all laws “necessary & proper” for carrying out delegated
• Life powers
Requirements for President & VP
Powers & Duties
• At least 35 years old State Government
• Natural-born US citizen • Exercise Judicial Review (Reserved Powers)
Landmark Decisions • Conduct elections
• US resident for 14 years prior
Term for President • Marbury v. Madison—Judicial Review • Establish schools
• Regulate businesses within a state
• 4 years, 2 term maximum • McCulloch v. Maryland—National Supremacy • Establish local governments
Powers & Duties of President • Dred Scott . Sandford--Citizenship • Make marriage laws
• Appoint officials (Requires approval) • Plessy v. Ferguson—Separate but Equal • Assume other powers not given to the national government or
• Sign or veto bills denied to the states
• Wage war (Requires approval)
• Korematsu v. US—Wartime Powers
• Brown v. Board of Education—Desegregation Joint Government
• Negotiate treaties (Requires approval) (Concurrent Powers)
• Grant pardons • Mapp v. Ohio—Search Warrants • Enforce laws
• Call Special Sessions of Congress • Gideon v. Wainwright—Right to Counsel • Establish courts
• Borrow money
• Miranda v. Arizona—Self-Incrimination • Protect public safety
• Reynolds v. Sims—One man, One Vote • Punish criminals
• Build roads
• Tinker v. Des Moines—Student Speech • Collect taxes
Legislative • US v. Nixon—Executive Privilege
Branch
(Makes the laws)
• New Jersey v. T.L.O.—Student Searches Amendments
Congress 1. 12. Presidential Elections
• Texas v. Johnson—Flag
Write bills, Tax, Declare war, Override vetoes, Propose amendments Burning
Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press,
Assembly, & Petition
13. Abolition of Slavery
14. Citizenship
Senate House of Representatives 2.
3.
Right to Bear Arms
Quartering of Troops
15. Suffrage—Race
Membership Membership 16. Income Tax
4. Searches & Seizures 17. Direct Election of Senators
• 100 members, 2 per state • 435 members, based on state population 5. Criminal Proceedings; Due Process;19. Suffrage—Gender
• KY—Mitch McConnell & Jim Bunning • KY—6, Brett Guthrie
Eminent Domain 20.
22.
Presidential Inaugurations
Presidential Term Limits
6. Criminal Proceedings
Requirements Requirements 7. Civil Trials 24. Poll Taxes
• At least 30 years old • At least 25 years old 8. Cruel & Unusual Punishment 25. Presidential Succession
Term 9. Rights Retained by the People 26. Suffrage—Age
Term 10. Powers Reserved to the States
• 6 years, unlimited • 2 years, unlimited
Powers & Duties Powers & Duties
• Approve presidential appointments Constitutional Principles
• Make impeachments
• Approve treaties Leadership Limited Government
• Try impeachments Separation of Powers
• Speaker of the House—Nancy Pelosi Checks & Balances
Leadership Popular Sovereignty
• President pro Tempore—Daniel Inouye Individual Rights

2. Presidential Elections Learning Targets
1. I can compare & contrast various forms of government in the world & evaluate how effective they have been in establishing order, providing security
Political Parties & Ideologies
& accomplishing common goals.
• Democrats—Liberals
2. I can explain & give examples of how democratic governments preserve & protect the rights & liberties of their constituents through different
• Republicans—Conservatives
sources.
• Third Parties 3. I can analyze how powers of government are distributed & shared among levels & branches & evaluate how this distribution of powers protects the
o Green Party "common good".
o Libertarian Party 4. I can interpret the principles of limited government & evaluate how these principles protect individual rights & promote the "common good.”
o Reform Party 5. I can explain & give examples of how the rights of one individual may, at times, be in conflict with the rights of another.
Primaries & Caucuses—January to May 6. I can explain how the rights of an individual may, at times, be in conflict with the responsibility of the government to protect the "common good".
7. I can evaluate the impact citizens have on the functioning of a democratic government by assuming responsibilities and duties.
• 1st Primary—New Hampshire
• 1st Caucus—Iowa
National Convention—Summer How a Bill Becomes a Law Key Terms
• Nominate candidate
Amendment
• Approve party platform
Bill of Rights
General Campaign—Summer to November Census
• Raise money Checks & Balances
Citizen
• Conduct opinion polls
Civil Liberties
• Make appearances
Civil Rights
• Produce commercials Common Good
• Debate opponents Conservative
Constitutionalism
Election Day—November
Declaration of Independence
Electoral College—December Delegated Powers
• 538 total electoral votes Democracy
Dictatorship
• 270 needed to win presidency
Double Jeopardy
• KY—8
Due Process
• Winner-Take-All & Minority Presidents Equal Representation
o 1824—John Q Adams v. Andrew Jackson Executive Branch
o 1876—Rutherford Hayes v. Samuel Tilden Federalism
o 1888—Benjamin Harrison v. Grover Cleveland Ideology
o 2000—George W. Bush v. Al Gore Implied Powers
Judicial Branch
What If No One Wins? Judicial Review
• House of Representatives chooses President Jurisdiction
• Senate chooses Vice President Legislative Branch
o 1800—Thomas Jefferson v. John Adams Legitimacy
o 1824—John Q. Adams v. Andrew Jackson Liberal
Limited Government
Magna Carta
Presidential Roles Monarchy
Natural Rights
Commander-in-Chief Chief Diplomat Naturalization
Chief Executive Party Leader Political Participation
Legislative Leader Chief of State Power
Popular Sovereignty
Proportional Representation
Public Policy
Key Individuals Republic
Rule of Law
George Washington Franklin Roosevelt Separation of Powers
Thomas Jefferson Richard Nixon Sovereignty
James Madison John Marshall Suffrage
Andrew Jackson Earl Warren Tyranny
Abraham Lincoln Susan B. Anthony US Constitution
Andrew Johnson Martin Luther King, Jr. Writ of Habeas Corpus