Use the terms separation of powers and checks and balances to describe how the U. S. Constitution set up the three branches of the federal government

The US Constitution set up a system of government with three co-equal branches of government. Each branch of government is responsible for different matters, which is known as the Separation of Powers, and is held responsible to each other with a system of interlocking responsibilities and obligations, better known as checks and balances.

The end result is a system where no branch should stand above the other branches and where each branch is responsible for their own set of responsibilities.