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How did the Roman Republic use checks and balances to ensure no one person or group had too much influence?

A) By appointing senators to oversee governmental decisions.
B) By allowing citizens to veto legislative proposals.
C) By establishing separate branches of government with distinct powers.
D) By implementing a system of rotating leaders within the Senate.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Roman Republic used a system of checks and balances that included annual election of two consuls to limit individual power, a Senate with legislative abilities to check consular power, and the Centuriate Assembly, elected by the citizens, creating laws and providing additional checks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Roman Republic ensured that no one person or group had too much influence through a system of checks and balances. One mechanism for this was the election of two consuls each year, who held executive power and could check each other's actions. These consuls had a limited term of one year, ensuring that power would not be concentrated for long periods. Additionally, the Roman Senate, which was an advisory body that also had law-making powers, could check the power of the consuls. This Senate could propose legislation, veto consul's decisions, and control public funds, which gave it significant influence over the government's actions.

The Centuriate Assembly, elected by citizens, was responsible for creating laws and serving as another check on the consuls' power. Besides, all elected officials became members of the Senate for life after their term in office, ensuring a continuity of experience and a further balancing of power within the political system. This multi-layered approach to governance helped to prevent any single person or group from dominating the Roman political system and was an important feature of the Roman Republic.

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