As part of the checks and balances and separation of powers, the Founders, wanted war-making decision making to rest with Congress, the body that represents the people. That way, war would not be waged at the whim of an executive.

As part of the separation of powers, ultimate authority over the military was to be given to the president. That way, the military would always be subordinated to civilian authority.

Article VI of the constitution outlines that the constitution, treaties made, and laws of congress shall be the supreme law of the land. This clause ensures that state and local governments recognize the supremacy of the constitution and national law.

Unfortunately, the Constitution upheld the practice of slavery. One of the key ways in which this was accomplished was the mandates placed on both Congress and the individual state governments to return any captured runaway slaves to their owners; granting freedom to a slave was seen as depriving the owner of the income that the slave’s labor would provide. The Constitution was especially concerned with creating and maintaining a strong national economy, and so Congress’s various economic powers were clearly defined within the document. Among other provisions, Congress was empowered to issue and value money, to pass taxes, to regulate interstate (between two or more states) and international commerce, to govern bankruptcy proceedings, to guard copyrights and patents, and to prosecute any counterfeiters and/or pirates.

Supreme Court Justices are the only officials that serve for life. This was based on the idea that judicial decisions should be free of political influence, therefore a justice does not fear political reprisals for making controversial decisions.

The Senate was to be the house of wisdom. Therefore, the political elites of different states would choose among themselves who had the political capacity and experience to serve in the Senate.

According to the constitution, the president has the power to negotiate treaties, but ultimately, they must be approved by the senate. Only the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional and all other powers listed are reserved to the executive.

In the Supreme Court decision Marbury v. Madison of 1803, the court took the power of judicial review and the power to declare acts of congress unconstitutional.

Separation and checks and balances were created to ensure that one single branch of government, the executive, legislative, and judicial from gaining too much power over another. It prevents one person, or one group to influence government too much.

The House of Representatives was the only branch of the national government that had direct election of the people. All others were either appointment or indirect election. For instance, Senators were initially elected by state legislatures and the presidency remains indirect through the Electoral College.