What is a key effect of the powers granted in the Constitution?

The key effect of the powers granted in the Constitution is the oversight of one branch by another, a principle known as checks and balances. The framers of the Constitution intended to prevent any one branch of government—the legislative, executive, or judicial—from gaining too much power. By granting distinct powers and responsibilities to each branch, the Constitution established a system where each branch has the ability to monitor and limit the actions of the others. This oversight ensures that the government operates fairly and maintains accountability, protecting citizens from potential abuses of power.

While the other options touch on aspects of governmental function, they do not capture this fundamental principle as effectively. Increased power of the federal government, for instance, can happen as a result of various amendments or legislative actions, but it isn’t a direct effect of how the powers are structured in the Constitution. Effective communication between branches is important for governance but relies on the checks and balances system, rather than being a standalone effect. Direct control over state governments is not a power granted to the federal government by the Constitution; rather, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states. Hence, the oversight of one branch by another is a primary consequence of the carefully balanced power dynamics established by the Constitution.