2025 civics test · Question 15 of 128 · Principles of American Government

There are three branches of government. Why?

Official answers

So one part does not become too powerful
Checks and balances
Separation of powers

Why

At the Constitutional Convention the Founders feared that one person or group with too much power could take over the country. So they separated the powers among three branches. This is called separation of powers. Each branch can check the others, which is called checks and balances.

Practice this question Take a mock interview