The idea that the Constitution divides governmental duties among three branches is called?

• A. Checks and Balances
• B. Separation of Powers
• C. Federalism
• D. Due Process

Answer: (B)

Separating governmental powers into three branches is the idea being tested. The Constitution gives legislative power to Congress to make laws, executive power to the President to enforce laws, and judicial power to the courts to interpret laws. This division creates different jobs and ways to check each other, so no single part of government can dominate. That setup is what prevents tyranny and builds accountability.

What makes this the best answer is that the phrase refers specifically to distributing duties across branches. Related concepts exist, but they describe different ideas: checks and balances is how the branches watch over one another within that division; federalism concerns power shared between national and state governments; due process refers to fair treatment in the legal system.