Civics
Unit 1.5A
Name___________________________
Date___________________ Per._____
Constitutional Principles: Separation of Powers – Video Guide
Watch It! - How is power divided in the United States government? (3:49)
Yes, a short video before another short video!
Directions: Complete the first section while you watch the video – Constitutional Principles: Separation of Powers (6:25).
Then read the questions that follow. Watch the video a second time if needed, and then answer the questions.

Legislative branch (Article I): Made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate (referred to as Congress), people who work in
the legislative branch are Senators and Representatives; and they are responsible for making laws

Executive branch (Article II): People who work there include President (head of Executive Branch), Vice President, cabinet members,
department and agency employees; responsibility is making sure that the law is carried out

Judicial branch (Article III): People who work within this branch include Supreme Court Justices and federal judges; this branch is
comprised of Supreme Court and the lower federal courts; responsibility is interpreting and explaining the law
While you watch:
1. Why did the Framers of the Constitution separate
power into three branches? (around :24)
After you watch:
7. What does the principle of separation of powers
mean?
2. What are the general powers of the legislative
branch? (around :37)
3. What are the general powers of the executive
branch? (around :51)
8. The video begins with Professor Muñoz’s
statement that the purpose of separation of
powers is to “frustrate” government action.
What does he mean by this statement?
4. What are the general powers of the judicial branch?
(around 1:08)
5. In Federalist 51, James Madison wrote about the
need to enable government to control the governed,
as well as for government to control itself. What did
he mean by that statement? (around 2:48)
6. Which branch did the Framers believe should be the
most powerful? (around 3:39)
9. How is James Madison’s plan for “ambition to
counteract ambition” reflected in our system of
separated powers?