What Are Checks and Balances?

America had just won their war for Independence. It was time to set up a brand-new government. They knew they did not want to put too much power into the hands of one leader. Instead, they created three equal branches of government: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. How could this new government make sure that one branch didn’t gain too much power? Readers explore how the system of checks and balances works with examples of each type of check and balance. Additional information is presented in an easily understood graphic organizer.