Answer:
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
In many ways, the Roman Republic was very similar to the way in which the United States government is organized today. There are three clear divisions of power, as you will see below.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Consuls: Elected by an assembly; ruled as chief executives for one year; controlled the military
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Senate: Consisted of 300 members; chosen by aristocrats and responsible for foreign affairs and financial policies
Centuriate Assembly: A group of citizen soldiers that were members for life; elected consuls and drafted/passed legislation
Tribal Assembly: Citizens put into groups depending on where they lived; members for life; elected tribunes
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Praetors: Eight judges chosen by the Centuriate Assembly to serve for a year; two of the eight supervised civil court and criminal court
LEGAL CODE
The Twelve Tables was similar to the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments of the Constitution), but it only protected free-born male citizens under the law.
CITIZENSHIP
Given to adult man landowners.
ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE
Dictators: Appointed by consuls and elected by the Senate in a time of catastrophe; power lasted for six months
THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
The Founding Fathers of The United States borrowed some of the elements of government from Rome, yet developed and added quite a few innovations. Unlike Rome, checks and balances came from the workings of three areas of government: a President, who was responsible for the jobs of Commander in Chief of the military, could appoint ambassadors to conduct foreign policy, and could propose laws to the Legislative Branch; the Legislative Branch is bicameral, including both a Senate, whose members are elected for six year terms, and a House of Representatives, whose members are elected for two year terms. Both houses need to agree on a law before it is sent to the President for signature. Finally, they created an independent Judiciary known as the Supreme Court whose job it was to ensure that laws passed by the Legislature were consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
