Civics_Ch2_webquest-atyourconv-sepofpwrs


 * Three branches of government - the decision of the Founding Fathers**

The Founding Fathers believed that if the same group was able to make and enforce laws and also decide whether or not the laws are fair, then the government would lead to tyranny. Therefore, the Founding Fathers decided to divide the powers of making, enforcing, and interpreting the fairness of laws into three different branches. This principle is known as **separation of powers**. __Vocabulary__ - The __Legislative Branch makes the laws__. The __Executive Branch enforces or carries out the laws__. The __Judicial Branch interprets the fairness of laws__. PUT IN YOUR STUDY NOTES. With the principle of separation of powers, the government won't become too powerful. Each branch has a different job.

If you chose to divide the powers, then you chose separation of powers like the Founding Fathers and will ensure that the government doesn't become too powerful.

If you chose to keep all of the powers in one body or one person, you run the risk of the government becoming too powerful. If the same person or body can make a law and also say whether that law is fair, the possibility exists for tyranny. Honestly, if this was your choice then I recommend that you reconsider. Do you know of any nations past or present that did not separate their powers? Just to name a few: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, Fidel Castro, and leaders in the radical Islamic nations that operate by Sharia law, which include Iran. These nations do not allow many rights to their people and the leaders pass harsh laws and there isn't any other power to stop negative laws.

Back to the At your convention page