Library: U.S. Presidential Impeachment: Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers & Impeachment

Understanding the form the U.S. government takes is crucial to understanding the impeachment process. The U.S. Constitution provides for three branches of government:

The Executive branch enforces laws
The Legislative branch makes laws
The Judicial branch interprets laws.

This separation of powers means that no one branch of government is more powerful than the other, and that there is a system of checks and balances by which any given branch may correct errors or oversteps committed by another branch. Presidential impeachment, for instance, is a means by which the legislative branch may check--that is, curb or rein in--the executive branch.

Separation of Powers

[Infographic courtesy of USA.gov. Click here for more information about the three branches of the United States government.]

Developments in American Politics 9 by Gillian Peele (Editor); Bruce E. Cain (Editor); Jon Herbert (Editor); Andrew Wroe (Editor)
Call Number: eBook
ISBN: 9783030897390
Publication Date: 2022-02-27
This textbook provides students of US Politics with an informed scholarly analysis of recent developments in the American political environment, using historical background to contextualize contemporary issues.

The Constitution of the United States
Facsimiles, transcripts, and informational essays about the U.S. Constitution, from the National Archives.
Checks and Balances
Don't be fooled--this page may be aimed at kids, but it has one of the most clear, succinct explanations of checks and balances we've found!
Constitutional Issues--Separation of Powers
This resource from the U.S. National Archives describes some of the historical battles over the separation of powers.
Separation of Powers in Action
Uses plain language to explain how the separation of powers played out in the events surrounding a specific court case (U.S. vs. Alvarez).
Congress and the Separation of Powers
Richly-illustrated and packed with specific historical examples, this online exhibit focuses specifically on the role of the legislative branch (Congress).
The House Explained
Presented by the U.S. House of Representatives, this page describes in detail the history and role of this portion of the legislative branch (Congress).
United States Senate: Institution
Presented by the U.S. Senate, this page describes the history, powers, and procedures of this branch of Congress.
The Supreme Court at Work
This page from the U.S. Supreme Court describes the court's origins, powers, and procedures.
The Executive Branch
Presented by the White House, this page describes the personnel and powers of the executive branch of government.

U.S. Presidential Impeachment: Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers & Impeachment

Separation of Powers

Further Reading