The Structure of the United States Government

The concept of separation of powers, or splitting the federal government into three distinct branches that monitor one another, is the foundation of U.S. government. The Framers included this structure in the Constitution to limit the power of each branch. Distributing power among three branches prevents any one branch from abusing it.

The U.S. Constitution creates three branches of federal government, each with distinct powers:

• The legislative branch makes the laws.
• The executive branch enforces the laws.
• The judicial branch interprets the laws.

Limiting the powers of each branch creates a system of checks and balances. Each branch checks the others, and powers are balanced among the branches. The three-branch government structure was introduced by the French philosopher Montesquieu in the 1700s. He believed this system of government would promote freedom and prevent people who had power from abusing it.