Checks and balances are controls built into our system of government which prevents one branch of government from asserting too much power over the others. For instance, the President may want to declare war, but he must first seek the approval of Congress.
In the Scopes "Monkey trial" in 1925, a substitute school teacher was accused
by the state of Tennessee of violating the state law that made it illegal to teach
human evolution in any state funded school.
Scopes wasn't even sure whether he had ever actually
taught evolution, but he
said that he did, so that the case
could come to trial and be heard.
Geta was one. another one is Caracalla.