Question

Use the terms separation of powers and checks and balances to describe how the U.S. Constitution set up the three branches of the federal government

Answer 1

The U.S. Constitution ensures a separation of powers among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The checks and balances system requires these branches to work together and provides them with means to check each other's powers, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Step-by-step explanation:

The U.S. Constitution set up the three branches of the federal government to ensure a separation of powers and establish a system of checks and balances. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the executive branch for enforcing them, and the judicial branch for interpreting laws through the power of judicial review. The concept of checks and balances requires each branch to have some measure of influence over the other branches and acts as a check on their powers, promoting cooperation and preventing any one branch from gaining too much power.

For instance, while Congress (legislative branch) has the power to draft legislation, the President (executive branch) must sign it before it becomes law, which forces both to work together on lawmaking. The President has the power to veto acts of Congress, but Congress can override a presidential veto. Similarly, the judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional, checking the power of the other two branches.

Answer 2

The US Constitution set up a system of government with three co-equal branches of government. Each branch of government is responsible for different matters, which is known as the Separation of Powers, and is held responsible to each other with a system of interlocking responsibilities and obligations, better known as checks and balances.

The end result is a system where no branch should stand above the other branches and where each branch is responsible for their own set of responsibilities.