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A Case for the Separation of Powers
In 1779, John Adams wrote the constitution for Massachusetts, which described how that state government would be run. It was the first constitution to divide up the state's power so that no one person or group would always be in control. Adams believed that everyone—rich or poor—should have a say in the government. This idea was different from an aristocracy—like the one in Britain—where the richest people ran the country.
This video shows more about why John Adams wanted to divide power in this way, first in Massachusetts and later throughout the United States. Click on the left to watch the video.