System of Checks and Balances in the United States Constitution - Assignment Example

of the of the 2 March Describe the system of checks and balances in the United States Constitution. The national government of the United States’ system of checks and balances can be generally described by the separation of powers. Hence, the United States’ constitutional government is comprised of three separate branches of government: (1) executive; (2) legislative; and (3) judicial, and each of these branches holds the power to assess and check the powers of the other two. The whole objective of this separation is to ensure that there will be no abuse of power.

The legislative branch represented by the Congress has the lone authority to lay down the law for the United States, and it cannot pass its legislative responsibilities on to other branches or organizations. The executive branch is conferred “with exemptions and qualifications” in the President of the United States; he also has the power to veto laws (Davis 1). The president is not obliged to enforce the law; instead, the president’s minions should perform these duties. Lastly, the judicial branch of the government has the authority to decide over cases and disputes.

This power is conferred to the Supreme Court and lower courts as recognized by the Congress. Each branch of the United States national government possesses powers that it can utilize to check and balance the functions and activities of the other two branches. 2. What was George Washington’s achievement as president? What was his worst failure? Overall, was his administration a success for the nation? Was it a success for the Federalists? Declaring George Washington’s greatest achievement would always be subjective and indefinite in nature; but, in all probability, he desisted from taking more power than what was appropriate (Wood 105).

After his resignation as the Commander-in-Chief of the continental Army, the people wanted him to become the King of the newly-formed nation; nevertheless, he refused to accept this fate, and instead, he wanted to have a democratic and free country. He was thorough of upholding a good standing by precluding political conspiracy. He showed no attention and notice over partiality and cronyism. Perhaps his greatest failure was when he approved the passing of The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, which provided slaveholders the right to regain their property; also, to help a runaway slave is a grave crime, which eventually permitted the proliferation of slave chasers within the United States’ territories.

This is a rather subtle move to sustain slavery, which is contradictory to his desire to create a democratic and free country. On the whole, Washington’s administration led the successful emancipation of the slaves, which although hampered in his initial decision to implement The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, eventually reciprocated by successfully liberating the Blacks. This is a perfect indicator to his administration’s success because that’s what defines America: a free and democratic country.

Furthermore, this appears to be a success to the Federalists in that owing to his dedication to republicanism and public integrity, he was deemed the “Father of his country” due to his neutrality. Davis, Zoe. Presidential Vetoes. Senate Library, 2001. Web. 3 March 2013. Wood, Gordon. The Radicalization of American Revolution. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1992. Print.