This activity is part of Module 6: Separation of Powers and Federalism from the Constitution 101 Curriculum.
To examine the principles of the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, you will engage with key principles that continue to drive our constitutional system today. For each of the key terms, read the definition and answer the questions corresponding to each.
- Separation of Powers- The separation of powers refers to the fact that the Constitution distributes political power between three branches of government: a legislative branch (Congress), an executive branch (led by a single president), and a judicial branch (headed by a single Supreme Court).
- What is a characteristic of the term?
- What is an example of the term?
- What is a non-example of the term?
- Checks and Balances- The Constitution sets up a system of checks and balances—granting each branch of government the power to check abuses by the other branches.
- What is a characteristic of the term?
- What is an example of the term?
- What is a non-example of the term?
- Federalism- Federalism is the word used to describe the Constitution’s system of dividing political power between the national government and the states.
- What is a characteristic of the term?
- What is an example of the term?
- What is a non-example of the term?
