2. The Three Branches in Depth

To stop any one person or group from gaining too much power, the Constitution splits the federal government into three branches — separation of powers — and lets each one limit the others through checks and balances.

• Legislative (Congress) makes laws. It has two houses: the House of Representatives (seats based on each state's population) and the Senate (two per state). It also controls government spending and can declare war.
• Executive (the President) carries out laws, commands the military, and conducts foreign policy. It includes the Cabinet and federal agencies.
• Judicial (the courts) interprets laws and the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the highest court and can declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Examples of checks and balances:

• The President can veto a bill; Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
• The Senate must approve the President's treaties and major appointments.
• The courts can strike down a law as unconstitutional.

⚠️ Common misconception: the Supreme Court does not write laws. It judges whether laws follow the Constitution.

💡 Tip: 'makes / enforces / interprets' = Legislative / Executive / Judicial. Lock that trio in.