Separation of Powers:
A fundamental principle of the United States government, whereby powers and responsibilities are divided among the legislative branch, executive branch and judicial branch. The officials of each branch are selected by different procedures and serve different terms of office; each branch may choose to block action of the other branches through the system of checks and balances.
Examples of Separation of Powers:
1. The Executive Branch
- 1) Commander in chief of the military.
2) Consultation with each of the executive departments.
3) Grant reprieves and pardons.
4) Make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators concur
5) Nominate ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not otherwise provided for in The Constitution.
6) Fill vacancies during the recess of the Senate.
7) On extraordinary occasions, convene or adjourn Congress
8) Receive ambassadors and other public ministers
9) Take care that the laws be faithfully executed
10) Commission all the officers of the United States.
2. The Legislative Branch
- Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).
3. The Judicial Branch
- Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding cases involving states' rights.
How Separation of Powers has been applied over time:
1. In the Royal Colonies, a council, named by the king, served as an advisory body to the Governor. They also represented the upper house of the colonial Legislature, separating power between congress and the executive branch.
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2. The First State Constitution's also included separation of powers as part of their government.
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3. These Constitutions gave little power to the governor, instead, they separated most of the power and gave it to the legislature.
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5. The Virginia Plan:
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6. The Virginia Plan:
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7. The Virginia Plan:
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8. The Connecticut Compromise:
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9. The New Jersey Plan:
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10. The New Jersey Plan:
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