Separation of Powers

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 knew that they needed to create a stronger government than the Articles of Confederation. But they didn’t want the government to be too powerful either! So, how much power should the government have?

The delegates created the idea of separation of powers. This meant that the federal government would be divided into three separate branches and each branch would have separate responsibilities. Use your prior knowledge of vocabulary to answer the following questions:

1. What are the three branches of our government?

LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL

2. What is the responsibility of each branch?

LEGISLATIVE: makes the laws

EXECUTIVE: carries out (enforces) the laws

JUDICIAL: makes sure the laws are fair

3. Why do you think the framers (writers) of the United States Constitution separated the powers of the new national government into three branches?

They wanted to make sure that no part of the government would become too powerful (didn’t want the president to be like King George III and didn’t want Congress to be like Parliament) Who’s Got The Power?

Directions: Complete the chart below by identifying which branch of government possesses each of the powers. Use the link found on my eboard (the URL is http://mrkash.com/activities/images/branches.jpg )

Power Branch of Government (legislative, executive or judicial?) Write laws legislative

Declares laws unconstitutional judicial

Signs bills into law executive

Coins money legislative

Nominates justices to the Supreme executive Court

Declares war legislative

Vetoes bills passed by Congress executive

Interprets/Makes meaning of laws judicial

Serves as commander-in-chief of the executive army and navy (sends troops overseas)

Issues a pardon executive

Overrides a presidential veto legislative

Approves amendments to the legislative Constitution

Makes treaties executive

Impeaches/Removes the president legislative

Who’s Got The Power? Answer Key

Power Branch of Government (legislative, executive or judicial?) Introduces laws legislative