Introduction

    The delegates to the Constitutional Convention faced a difficult challenge. They wanted to ensure a strong, central government, yet they also wanted to ensure that no individual or small group in the government would become too powerful. Because of the colonies’ experience under the British monarchy, the delegates wanted to avoid giving any one person or group absolute control in government.

    Under the Articles of Confederation, the government had lacked centralization, and the delegates didn’t want to have that problem again. To solve these problems, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a government with three separate branches, each with its own distinct powers. This system would establish a strong central government, while insuring a balance of power. These branches are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of Government. Their purpose of these  branches of government is to insure the rights of every citizen.

Courtesy of Ben Franklin's Government  for Kids

     How do these branches of government insure the Natural Rights of every citizen in the United States? How do we make new laws? How do we insure every law is correctly carried out in each state? How do we judge citizens on these laws? In this activity you will learn the answer to these questions.