The statement provided is TRUE. The Founding Fathers of the United States believed in the principle of separation of powers, which meant that power needed to be restrained and distributed among the different branches of government. This concept is also known as checks and balances.
Here's why the statement is true:
1. **Separation of Powers**: The Founding Fathers, influenced by philosophers like Montesquieu, designed the U.S. Constitution with three separate branches of government: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.
2. **Checks and Balances**: In addition to the separation of powers, the Founding Fathers established a system of checks and balances. This means that each branch has some control over the other branches, ensuring that no single branch could dominate the others. For example, the President can veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority.
3. **Protection of Rights**: By distributing power among the branches of government, the Founding Fathers aimed to protect the rights of individuals and prevent tyranny. This system of checks and balances helps to safeguard the liberties and rights of citizens by ensuring that no one branch or group can abuse its power.
In conclusion, the Founding Fathers believed in the importance of restraining and distributing power among the different components of government to prevent any branch or group from dominating others and infringing on their rights.
