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LouisianaPolitics

Module 3: The Three Branches of Government

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does an idea travel through Congress and the president to become a federal law?

Explain the lawmaking process by which a bill becomes a federal law, including committees, votes in both chambers, the president's options, and a veto override (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on how a bill becomes a federal law: introduction, committee review, votes in both chambers, conference to reconcile differences, the president's options (sign, veto, or do nothing), and the two-thirds veto override, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →

How did the courts gain the power to strike down laws, and which cases shaped American government?

Explain judicial review and its origin in Marbury v. Madison, and identify the principle established by landmark Supreme Court cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, and Tinker v. Des Moines (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on judicial review and landmark Supreme Court cases: how Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, and the principles set by Brown v. Board, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, and Tinker v. Des Moines, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
13 min answer →

What does the executive branch do, and what powers does the president hold?

Describe the structure and powers of the executive branch, including the roles of the president, the Electoral College, and the Cabinet, as set out in Article II (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the executive branch: the roles and powers of the president under Article II, the Electoral College, the Cabinet and federal agencies, and how the Louisiana governor compares, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →

Who actually carries out the laws day to day, and how is the bureaucracy controlled?

Explain the role of the federal bureaucracy, including Cabinet departments, agencies, and regulations, and how the three branches check the bureaucracy (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the federal bureaucracy: the Cabinet departments and agencies that carry out the laws, how they make regulations, and how Congress, the president, and the courts check the bureaucracy, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
11 min answer →

How is the federal court system organized, and what does the judicial branch do?

Describe the structure and role of the judicial branch, including the federal court system, the Supreme Court, jurisdiction, and how the Louisiana court system compares (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the judicial branch: the three levels of federal courts (district, appeals, Supreme Court), the role and structure of the Supreme Court, jurisdiction, and how the Louisiana court system compares, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →

How is Congress organized, and what powers does the legislative branch hold?

Describe the structure and powers of the legislative branch, including the bicameral Congress, the differences between the House and the Senate, and the powers granted in Article I (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the legislative branch: the bicameral Congress, the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, the powers of Congress in Article I, and how the Louisiana Legislature compares, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →