Separation of Powers
During the Constitutional Convention, the Founders were afraid that if one person or group has too much power, then they could take over the country. They decided to separate the powers of government so that no one person or group could become too powerful. The Constitution gives each branch of government different powers. This is called "separation of powers." Separation of powers stops one branch from becoming too powerful.
The powers of each branch of government are:
• The Legislative Branch (Congress) makes federal laws.
• The Executive Branch enforces federal laws.
• The Judicial Branch reviews federal laws.
ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE: THE USCIS CIVICS TEST TEXTBOOK