Explanation:
The winner of the presidential election is determined by the Electoral College system. The main difference between the popular vote and electoral vote is that popular vote represents direct democracy whereas electoral vote refers to a representative republic.
The slave trade compromise restricted the number of slaves counted toward representation and taxation to 3/5 the total number of slaves and prohibited congress from outlawing slavery before 1808. This compromise allowed the slave trade to continue for 20 years after the compromise was made. The two major slave trade compromises were established to help quench the fears of the North and the South.
The commerce compromise was a compromise reached on import and export taxes, and most importantly, the slave trade. It was finalized after heated debates during the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. During negotiations, the urban northern states and the southern agricultural slave-owning states realized that some fundamental differences would have to be put aside, even for just a short time, in order to move forward with the Constitution.
Federalism is a mixed or compound mode of government that combines a general government (the central or "federal" government) with regional governments (provincial, state, cantonal, territorial or other sub-unit governments) in a single political system. Its distinctive feature, first embodied in the Constitution of the United States of 1789, is a relationship of parity between the two levels of government established. It can thus be defined as a form of government in which powers are divided between two levels of government of equal status.
The American constitutional system includes a notion known as the Separation of Powers. In this system, several branches of government are created and power is shared between them. At the same time, the powers of one branch can be challenged by another branch. This is what the system of checks and balances is all about.
There are three branches in the United States government as established by the Constitution. First, the Legislative branch makes the law. Second, the Executive branch executes the law. Last, the Judicial branch interprets the law. Each branch has an effect on the other.
Legislative Branch
Checks on the Executive
Impeachment power (House)
Trial of impeachments (Senate)
Selection of the President (House) and Vice President (Senate) in the case of no majority of electoral votes
May override Presidential vetoes
Senate approves departmental appointments
Senate approves treaties and ambassadors
Approval of replacement Vice President
Power to declare war
Power to enact taxes and allocate funds
President must, from time-to-time, deliver a State of the Union address
Checks on the Judiciary
Senate approves federal judges
Impeachment power (House)
Trial of impeachments (Senate)
Power to initiate constitutional amendments
Power to set courts inferior to the Supreme Court
Power to set jurisdiction of courts
Power to alter the size of the Supreme Court
Checks on the Legislature - because it is bicameral, the Legislative branch has a degree of self-checking.
Bills must be passed by both houses of Congress
House must originate revenue bills
Neither house may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other house
All journals are to be published
Executive Branch
Checks on the Legislature
Veto power
Vice President is President of the Senate
Commander in chief of the military
Recess appointments
Emergency calling into session of one or both houses of Congress
May force adjournment when both houses cannot agree on adjournment
Compensation cannot be diminished
Checks on the Judiciary
Power to appoint judges
Pardon power
Checks on the Executive
Vice President and Cabinet can vote that the President is unable to discharge his duties
Judicial Branch
Checks on the Legislature
Judicial review
Seats are held on good behavior
Compensation cannot be diminished
Checks on the Executive
Judicial review
Chief Justice sits as President of the Senate during presidential impeachment
Requirements to be a U.S. Senator are established in Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. ). Individuals must be:
At least 30 years old
A U.S. citizen for at least nine years at the time of election to the Senate
A resident of the state one is elected to represent in the Senate
According to Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, House members must be:
At least 25 years of age;
A citizen of the United States for at least seven years prior to being elected;
A resident of the state he or she is chosen to represent.
Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution imposes only three eligibility requirements on persons serving as president.
At minimum age of 35;
Must have been a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years;
Must either have been born on U.S. soil or (if born overseas) to at least one parent who is a citizen
Hope that helps!!!
