Influenced by the writings of Montesquieu and other European
political theorists, the Founders created a system of government
with three distinct and separated powers. The Constitution
defines the powers of the legislative (or lawmaking) branch in
Article I, the executive branch in Article II, and the judicial
branch in Article III. James Madison explained in Federalist No.
51 how the system of separated powers provides checks and
balances on the power of government. Life Without the Bill of
Rights? is a click-and-explore activity that asks you to
consider how life would change without some of our most
cherished freedoms. Life Without the Bill of Rights invites you
to understand the significance of constitutionally-protected
rights.