Foundations of U.S. Government
Aligned to C3.D2.Civ — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
The Constitution created a government with three branches that check each other, balancing power. The Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms like speech and religion.
Worked example
Congress (legislative) writes a law, the President (executive) can veto it, and the Supreme Court (judicial) can rule it unconstitutional — checks and balances in action.
Practice questions
- Name the three branches and how one checks another.
- What does the Bill of Rights protect?
- Why did the founders divide power among branches?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Fundamentos del Gobierno de los EE. UU.
La Constitución creó un gobierno con tres poderes que se controlan mutuamente, equilibrando el poder. La Carta de Derechos protege las libertades individuales, como la libertad de expresión y de religión.
Ejemplo: El Congreso (poder legislativo) redacta una ley, el Presidente (poder ejecutivo) puede vetarla y la Corte Suprema (poder judicial) puede declararla inconstitucional: así funcionan los controles y contrapesos.
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