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Watch this video explaining the US Constitution.

The US Constitution details the structure of government in the US. Power is separated between the US Federal Government and the states. There is a system of checks and balances to ensure power is shared.

Sharing of power

Power in the USA is not concentrated on any one person or governing body. Instead, as written in the US Constitution, power is shared between the Federal Government and each of the 50 US state governments.

Federal Government

The US Federal Government powers are clearly stated in the US Constitution.

For example, the Federal Government has the right to make decisions on the following:

• the military
• all federal taxes
• printing money (the dollar $)
• regulations on trade between states

Anything that is not stated in the US Constitution as a federal power is a state power.

State government

The United States of America is a union of 50 states, each of which have their own legal standing and authority independent of the Federal Government.This means that each state has the right to make decisions in those areas not decided by the US Federal Government.

For example, each state can have its own laws on the following:

• crime and punishment
• gun control
• ages for marriage, driving and education

Checks and balances

Another example of checks and balances relates to the US Constitution. For example, the Constitution cannot be changed unless:

• three-quarters of the states agree
• two-thirds of the representatives in Washington, D.C. agree
• the President agrees