Explain why our founding fathers thought that the Separation of Powers was necessary
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/separation-powers/
The founding fathers of the United States believed that the Separation of Powers was necessary to prevent the concentration of too much power in the hands of a single individual or branch of government. They were deeply influenced by the political theories of Enlightenment thinkers, such as Montesquieu, who argued for the separation of powers as a means to maintain a system of checks and balances.
To understand why the founding fathers thought the Separation of Powers was necessary, it is important to consider the context in which they drafted the United States Constitution. They had just fought a war of independence against British rule, which they saw as an oppressive and monarchic system. Hence, they sought to create a new government that would be fundamentally different and designed to safeguard individual liberties.
To get more information about why our founding fathers believed in the Separation of Powers, one could read primary sources such as The Federalist Papers. These are a collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, which were published to garner support for the ratification of the Constitution. In particular, Federalist No. 47, 48, and 51 provide insights into their thoughts on the separation of powers.
Furthermore, it would be helpful to research the writings of Enlightenment philosophers like Montesquieu, whose famous work "The Spirit of the Laws" greatly influenced the founding fathers. By examining these texts, one can gain a deeper understanding of the intellectual underpinnings of the Separation of Powers and the reasons our founding fathers believed it to be essential to the success of the new nation.