Chapter Study OutlineIntroduction Show One great achievement of the American founding was the creation of an effective constitutional structure of political institutions. Two important aspects of the U.S. Constitution—federalism and the separation of powers—represent, in part, the framers’ efforts to divide governmental power. Federalism limits government by creating two sovereign powers—the national government and state governments—thereby restraining the influence of both. Separation of powers imposes internal limits by dividing government against itself, giving different branches separate functions and forcing them to share power.
Why did the framers establish a federal government for the United States?The goal of federalism is to preserve personal liberty by separating the powers of the government so that one government or group may not dominate all powers. The Framers believed that divided power was limited power and applied this theory as they created the Constitution.
Why did the Founding Fathers make our government a federal system?The Founding Fathers wanted to make it difficult for one person, party, or group to get control of the government. To achieve these goals, the Founding Fathers proposed a national government where power was divided between three separate branches of government: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary.
How did the Constitution create a federal system of government?First it creates a national government consisting of a legislative, an executive, and a judicial branch, with a system of checks and balances among the three branches. Second, it divides power between the federal government and the states. And third, it protects various individual liberties of American citizens.
Why did the Founding Fathers create a federal system of government quizlet?The Framers chose a federal system instead of a confederation because they thought that governmental power inevitably is a threat to individual liberty, the exercise of governmental power must be restrained, and that to divide governmental power is to prevent its abuse.
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