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Separation of Powers or Shared Powers

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Weighing the Evidence

When the framers were crafting the Constitution, they enacted the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances to create a stable and free government. “Separation of powers” meant that our government would be divided into 3 branches with different roles, while checks and balances made the government “share power” between the branches to limit the power of each branch.

Your job is to determine whether in practice the US government follows the model of “separation of powers” or “shared powers.” Analyze each document, note which branches are involved and how they interact, then place the document on the scale.

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View the full activity: https://docsteach.org/activity/separation-of-powers-or-shared-powers/

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To the extent possible under law, National Archives Foundation has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to “Separation of Powers or Shared Powers”