Which of the following best summarizes how the Roman Republic kept power in check to prevent an authoritarian state?(1 point)
A The Roman Republic had a direct democracy. All citizens could directly vote on laws and pass judgment on those who broke the law.
B The Roman Republic had a powerful military that would brutally enforce Roman law. It used fear and varying punishments, depending on social class.
C The Roman Republic centered its power on the Senate. Senators were elected for a lifetime by the general population, regardless of citizenship, as a representative governing body.
D The Roman Republic had three governing bodies: the assemblies, the Senate, and the consuls. Each had different responsibilities and limitations in their duties.
D The Roman Republic had three governing bodies: the assemblies, the Senate, and the consuls. Each had different responsibilities and limitations in their duties.
The correct answer is D. The Roman Republic had three governing bodies: the assemblies, the Senate, and the consuls. Each had different responsibilities and limitations in their duties. This system of checks and balances helped prevent the concentration of power in any one group or individual, thereby preventing an authoritarian state.
The best answer that summarizes how the Roman Republic kept power in check to prevent an authoritarian state is option D. The Roman Republic had three governing bodies: the assemblies, the Senate, and the consuls. Each of these governing bodies had different responsibilities and limitations in their duties.
To arrive at this answer, we can analyze each of the options:
A The Roman Republic did not have a direct democracy where all citizens could directly vote on laws and pass judgment. While there were assemblies where citizens could vote on some matters, it was not a complete direct democracy.
B While the Roman Republic did have a powerful military that enforced Roman law, it did not solely rely on fear and varying punishments to maintain power. The military was under civilian control and was not the primary mechanism to prevent an authoritarian state.
C The Roman Republic did have a Senate, where senators were elected for life by the general population. However, the Senate alone was not the exclusive center of power, and citizenship was a requirement for being a senator.
D The Roman Republic had three governing bodies: the assemblies, the Senate, and the consuls. The assemblies included all adult male citizens and had the power to pass laws. The Senate, composed primarily of former magistrates, advised and voted on legislation. The consuls were two elected officials who were responsible for both military and civil administration, but their power was limited by a one-year term and checks from other branches.
Therefore, option D is the best choice because it accurately reflects the system of checks and balances that existed in the Roman Republic to prevent the rise of an authoritarian state.