Articles one, two, and three in the Constitution reflect which constitutional principle?

The correct answer highlights the principle of separation of powers, which is established in Articles One, Two, and Three of the Constitution. Each article delineates the structure and powers of one of the three branches of government: the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (the President), and the judicial branch (the courts).

This division is fundamental to preventing any single branch from gaining too much power, as each branch has its own distinct responsibilities and authority. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive enforces them, and the judiciary interprets them. By separating these powers, the Constitution ensures that the government operates with a system of checks on authority, fostering a balance that protects democratic governance.

In contrast, federalism refers to the division of powers between the national and state governments, which is not the primary focus of the three articles in question. While checks and balances are indeed a crucial part of the system established by the Constitution, they primarily emerge from the interactions between the separate branches, rather than being the main principle behind how those branches are structured. Limited government pertains to the restrictions placed on government powers to protect individual liberties, which is an important concept but not directly represented by the organization laid out in Articles One, Two, and Three.