This clip describes the separation of powers in the United States government. The three branches of the government are the Executive branch, the Legislative branch, and the Judicial branch. Each branch performs checks on the other to ensure that no one branch becomes more powerful than the other two.

Benjamin Franklin describes to Sarah and James the new form of government envisioned by James Madison and George Washington. It has three branches of government: judicial, executive, and legislative. Ben Franklin explains the power that each branch yields and discusses the debate among the delegates about the number of representatives held by each state.

The news slips reports on the events leading up to the passing of the War Powers Act, and the further implication of this law. The legislative branch is given more power to limit the president's control to send troops into war.

This clip describes the Executive branch of government in the U.S. In developing the branch, the Founding Fathers decided who held authority and the powers this person should have.

Cicero's Roman Republic set the foundation for many governments in the world today.