Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Practice Exam

The three branches of government, as established by the United States Constitution, are Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This framework is designed to ensure a separation of powers, which helps to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

The Legislative branch is responsible for making laws and is composed of Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Executive branch is tasked with enforcing laws and is headed by the President, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The Judicial branch interprets laws and includes the court systems, with the Supreme Court being the highest court in the land.

Understanding these branches and their functions is critical for grasping how the U.S. government operates and maintains a system of checks and balances among them. This structure allows for accountability and a system where powers are distributed among different entities, enhancing democracy and safeguarding individual freedoms.