What structure limits the powers of the federal government by creating three branches of government?

The correct answer, Separation of Powers, refers to a fundamental principle of governance outlined in the United States Constitution. This principle divides the federal government into three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Each branch has its own specific responsibilities and powers, which helps prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful or tyrannical.

The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the executive branch implements and enforces those laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws and ensures they are applied fairly. By distributing governance responsibilities among these three branches, the drafters of the Constitution aimed to create a system of checks on authority and maintain a balance of power within the federal government.

Although checks and balances are related to the Separation of Powers, as they describe how each branch can limit the powers of the others, the core structure that organizes the government is best defined by the Separation of Powers itself. Federalism refers to the division of power between the national and state governments, while popular sovereignty emphasizes that governmental authority derives from the consent of the governed, which is not directly related to the organization of government powers. Thus, the structure that delineates the powers of the federal government through the establishment of three branches is accurately captured by the concept of Separation