What was the intent of the framers of the Constitution regarding the legislative, executive, and judicial branches?
• The bicameral legislature was designed so that only the House of Representatives was directly chosen by the people • To prevent “excessive democracy,” the Senators were appointed by the State Legislators to staggered six-year terms. • In part to reassure citizens of their voice in government, the (relatively democratic) legislative branch was designed to be the most powerful branch. Furthermore, the powers of the government were limited by the Constitution to only those powers given to Congress by the Constitution. • The executive branch was designed to be independent of both Congress and the people through his indirect selection. This powerful, independent executive lessened the fears of an overly powerful government that would cater to the whims of the people. • The judicial branch was designed to be independent of the legislative and executive branches (life-time appointment, salaries) to permit the courts the autonomy to make difficult decisions on the basis of law and not politi
