Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

What was a key objective of the framers of the U.S. Constitution regarding the system of checks and balances?

1. To ensure free speech

2. To prevent one branch of government from dominating another

3. To promote international relations

4. To enhance economic growth

The correct answer is: To prevent one branch of government from dominating another

The key objective of the framers of the U.S. Constitution regarding the system of checks and balances was to prevent one branch of government from dominating another. The framers recognized the potential for tyranny if any one branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—were to become too powerful. By establishing a system where each branch has distinct powers and the ability to limit the powers of the others, they aimed to create a balanced government. This designed interplay ensures that legislation, executive decisions, and judicial interpretations would require cooperation and consent among the branches, preventing the concentration of power and protecting individual liberties. In the context of the other options, while free speech is an important constitutional value, it is primarily covered under the First Amendment rather than through checks and balances. International relations and economic growth, while significant, were not central aims of this specific framework. The checks and balances system focuses solely on maintaining the balance of power within the government itself.