Answer:
The Watergate scandal, which unfolded in the early 1970s in the United States, played a significant role in activating and demonstrating the effectiveness of the system of checks and balances.
The checks and balances system is a cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution, designed to prevent the abuse of power by any one branch of government. It ensures that each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—has separate powers and can exercise oversight over the others. The Watergate scandal particularly highlighted the importance of this system in holding the executive branch accountable.
During the Watergate scandal, which involved the illegal activities of President Richard Nixon's administration, various checks and balances mechanisms came into play: