America's Constitution Dbq
explanatory Essay
883 words
Withstanding the Test of Time. According to legend, as the exalted Benjamin Franklin stepped out of the last session of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in September of 1787, a curious woman queried, "What kind of government have you given us, Dr. Franklin?" Franklin answered, "A Republic, Madam, if you can keep it."1 Remarkably, over 200 years later, the United States has kept its constitution, and the republic for which it was created has flourished. While fledgling democracies across the continents have modeled the frameworks of their governments after the U.S. Constitution, America's system of democracy remains spectacularly unique and successful, largely due to its constitution. The framers of the Constitution created an …show more content…
At the Constitutional Convention, the framers set out to develop a form of government stronger than a confederation; it could not be unitary though, otherwise the states would not ratify it. They borrowed ideas from both of these forms of government to form a federal republic. Once federalism was decided upon to unify the states without constraining them, the next step in developing a lasting constitution was creating a separation of powers. James Madison wrote in The Federalist, No. 47, "No political truth is certainly of greater intrinsic value, or is stamped with the authority of more enlightened patrons of liberty, than that ... the accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands ... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."2 The framers ingeniously wove into the Constitution three ways to ensure a clear separation of powers among the three branches of government. First, the leaders in the different branches come to power in …show more content…
They were aware that "the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others ... Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."4 Though the legislative branch creates laws, it is up to the executive branch to enforce them and the judicial branch to interpret
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the constitution is an adaptable instrument of government which withstands the test of time through checks and balances.
- Explains how the framers at the constitutional convention set out to develop a stronger form of government — it could not be unitary, otherwise the states wouldn't ratify it.
- Explains that the framers developed the foundation of democracy through checks and balances. ambition must be made to counteract ambition.
- Explains that the constitution is an adaptable instrument of government which withstands the test of time through checks and balances.
- Explains how the framers at the constitutional convention set out to develop a stronger form of government — it could not be unitary, otherwise the states wouldn't ratify it.
- Explains that the framers developed the foundation of democracy through checks and balances. ambition must be made to counteract ambition.
- Explains that the supreme court case of marbury vs. madison established the constitutional principle of judicial review.
- Opines that the united states constitution is vital to the success of this country and will always remain so.
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- What Are The Weaknesses Of The Articles Of Confederationexplanatory essayThe government of the United States under the Articles of Confederation was split between two main powers, the colonies and Britain. The colonies struggled to overthrow the British government and create their own government. The United States Constitution was drafted to replace these Articles in order to address many weaknesses, while meeting both the colonies and the government’s needs. Under the Articles of Confederation, there were many things the federal government couldn’t do. It couldn’t tax, make trade treaties, resolve disputes between states, keep order, and pay its debts. To help solve these issues, the writers of the Constitution created a federal government with three branches. Each branch had distinct powers to carry out its responsibilities.
In this essay, the author
- States that the united states constitution was drafted to replace the articles of confederation to address many weaknesses, while meeting both the colonies and the government’s needs.
- Explains that the articles of the confederation provided the united states with one national governing body from 1781 to 1789. they were drafted in 1776 before america declared independence.
- Explains that the articles succeeded in maintaining the union of the thirteen states and clearly outlining the general powers of centralized government. the articles brought the revolutionary war to a close and created the north west ordinance.
- States that the united states constitution was drafted to replace the articles of confederation to address many weaknesses, while meeting both the colonies and the government’s needs.
- Explains that the articles of the confederation provided the united states with one national governing body from 1781 to 1789. they were drafted in 1776 before america declared independence.
- Explains that the articles succeeded in maintaining the union of the thirteen states and clearly outlining the general powers of centralized government. the articles brought the revolutionary war to a close and created the north west ordinance.
- Opines that the lack of a strong national government led to three limitations: economic disorganization, lacking central leadership, and legislative inefficiencies.
- Explains that congress was not allowed to regulate trade and commerce with native americans, and states and the national government could both print money.
- Explains that there was a lack of central leadership which left the entire judiciary system up to each state.
- Explains that the united states constitution addressed the weaknesses in the articles of the confederations.
963 wordsRead More - Analysis Of James Madison's Federalist 51analytical essayJames Madison’s Federalist No. 51, in summation, explains what, why, and how there is the need of the separation of powers; legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Through Madison’s argument, checking ambition with ambition, he eloquently portrays, how the power of the government is to be divided up between the three branches of government. This is all referring to the looming ratification of the Constitution; he, James Madison, Jon Jay, and Alexander Hamilton, want to be ratified by the states. They use the power of the New York Press, to gain political support, as well as, explain the legislator put forth to the citizenry.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how madison's federalist no. 51 explains the need for separation of powers between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
- Analyzes how madison's argument for a checks-and-balances governmental system is related to the literary conceptualization of the ideas life, liberty, and property.
- Explains madison's idealistic system of government, which includes legislative, executive, and judicial branches. the legislature is divided into the senate and house of representatives to keep it from becoming too powerful.
- Analyzes how madison's federalist no. 51 explains the need for separation of powers between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
- Analyzes how madison's argument for a checks-and-balances governmental system is related to the literary conceptualization of the ideas life, liberty, and property.
- Explains madison's idealistic system of government, which includes legislative, executive, and judicial branches. the legislature is divided into the senate and house of representatives to keep it from becoming too powerful.
- Explains that the executive branch enforces the laws the legislator makes, is not divided up. the president has the power of the veto to quell the legislative branches' ambition.
- Analyzes how the judicial branch keeps the ambition of the legislative branch from becoming too powerful.
- Analyzes madison's argument that power divided in through the three branches of government, can better serve democracy, than virtuous citizens.
737 wordsRead More - The American Constitution: The Constitution Of The Constitutionanalytical essayThe Constitution being a “living document” refers to the idea that the Constitution is open to interpretation outside of the intentions of the framers. The concept relates to the fact that society is constantly changing and therefore the principals of how the society is run must adapt to the ongoing changes. The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia discouraged the idea of the living Constitution, declaring that the Constitution should only be understood in the terms of the people who wrote it. This objective is known as “originalism”, and it depends on the angles of the Founding Fathers as the only analysis of the Constitution. Laws and precedents are constantly being added and modified to conform to contemporary political,
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the constitution is open to interpretation outside the intentions of the framers. the late supreme court justice antonin scalia discouraged the idea of a living constitution.
- Analyzes how precedents have been corrected and courts have gone back on decisions they had made in the past, declaring them unconstitutional. the fourteenth amendment was the constitutional base that enforced both of these decisions.
- Argues that the constitution must have been living in order for it to be reinterpreted and affirm a precedent that was set as constitutionally sound, as unconstitutional.
- Explains that the constitution is open to interpretation outside the intentions of the framers. the late supreme court justice antonin scalia discouraged the idea of a living constitution.
- Analyzes how precedents have been corrected and courts have gone back on decisions they had made in the past, declaring them unconstitutional. the fourteenth amendment was the constitutional base that enforced both of these decisions.
- Argues that the constitution must have been living in order for it to be reinterpreted and affirm a precedent that was set as constitutionally sound, as unconstitutional.
- Analyzes how a loose interpretation of the constitution can be seen in the case of roe vs. wade. the courts interpreted the bill of rights to include all rights regarding privacy, even though the word "privacy" was never mentioned.
- Explains that eric posner from slate opposes this view by saying the process of amending the constitution is so difficult that it might as well be written in stone.
- Analyzes how the framers of the constitution intentionally created the text to be profoundly vague and ambiguous to allow for flexibility and loose interpretation.
- Cites mcbride, alex, and derek, hammer. the constitution is a living document.
- Explains that the u.s. constitution is impossible to amend. blame the founders.
960 wordsRead More - Constitutions in Americaexplanatory essayAfter America’s independence from Britain in 1776, states began to experiment with their newfound freedom by drafting constitutions. The Virginia Constitution came about on June 29, 1776 followed by the Massachusetts Constitution in March 2, 1780. Both the Virginia and Massachusetts Constitutions helped contribute to the United States Constitution that succeeded them. Values and concepts from both state constitutions can be seen in the constitution of the United States.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that states began to experiment with their newfound freedom by drafting constitutions after america's independence from britain in 1776. both virginia and massachusetts constitutions contributed to the united states constitution that succeeded them.
- Explains that the virginia constitution acted as a pioneer to the declaration of independence, indicting king george iii of multiple wrongdoings against the american colonists.
- Explains that the massachusetts constitution is composed of three parts: the preamble, declaration of rights, and the framework of government.
- Explains that states began to experiment with their newfound freedom by drafting constitutions after america's independence from britain in 1776. both virginia and massachusetts constitutions contributed to the united states constitution that succeeded them.
- Explains that the virginia constitution acted as a pioneer to the declaration of independence, indicting king george iii of multiple wrongdoings against the american colonists.
- Explains that the massachusetts constitution is composed of three parts: the preamble, declaration of rights, and the framework of government.
- Explains that the virginia constitution and massachusetts constitution contributed to the united states constitution of 1787.
- Explains that the virginia and massachusetts constitutions share many of the same elements of government. the virginia constitution accuses king george iii of multiple crimes and misconduct.
- Describes the united states constitution and bill of rights, and virginia constitution, not including the bill.
1073 wordsRead More - The Pros And Cons Of The Constitutionanalytical essayThe first constitution of the United States well-known as the Article of Confederation was too weak to handle the challenge faces by our young nation because it did not give our central government tough power and everything were basically running at the state level (Beeman). The founding fathers of our nation were smart enough to understand that the Articles of confederation were a failure and the needs to have a strong government were essential. Therefore, the constitutional convention of 1787 created a new form of government that gave more powers to the federal government which consists of three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial (Beeman). In order to prevent any of those three branches to become more powerful the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the first constitution of the united states, the article of confederation, was too weak to handle the challenge faced by our young nation. the constitution of 1787 created a new form of government that gave more powers to the federal government.
- Explains that the framers of our constitution chose to form a unique form of government that did not allow one branch to hold more power than the others.
- Explains that walmart is one of the most successful companies in america. they make a lot of money because of their business model and their everyday low wages.
- Explains that the first constitution of the united states, the article of confederation, was too weak to handle the challenge faced by our young nation. the constitution of 1787 created a new form of government that gave more powers to the federal government.
- Explains that the framers of our constitution chose to form a unique form of government that did not allow one branch to hold more power than the others.
- Explains that walmart is one of the most successful companies in america. they make a lot of money because of their business model and their everyday low wages.
- Opines that the 113th congress was under-performing based on their approval rate by the americans.
- Argues that the legislative branch is the least productive today because of political games over "the affordable care act."
- Argues that the second amendment gives us the right to bear arms, but americans want safer neighborhoods and more regulations on guns.
1538 wordsRead More - The Creation of the American Democracyanalytical essayThe American system of government is ultimately a democracy, because it is ultimately a true system of the people. However, not everything done at the Constitutional Convention was democratic. When representatives from the states met in Philadelphia, the majority were rich, educated, upper-class landowners. They claimed to have the best interests of the people in mind, and in most cases they did. That was, after all, the reason they were brought together. However, they still took some measures to ensure that the interests of the comm...
In this essay, the author
- Explains how the framers of the constitution met in philadelphia to form a fair and solid system of government that would stand the test of time.
- Opines that the american system of government is ultimately a democracy, but not everything done at the constitutional convention was democratic.
- Explains that the electoral college is an example of a plan implemented by the framers that doesn't always uphold the common interests of the people.
- Explains how the framers of the constitution met in philadelphia to form a fair and solid system of government that would stand the test of time.
- Opines that the american system of government is ultimately a democracy, but not everything done at the constitutional convention was democratic.
- Explains that the electoral college is an example of a plan implemented by the framers that doesn't always uphold the common interests of the people.
- Analyzes how the framers at the constitutional convention were democratic, compromising with the separate needs of the states to form a system that would satisfy everyone. direct election of public officials eliminates unpopular government.
- Explains that the bill of rights is perhaps the best example of the democratic aspects of our government.
867 wordsRead More - The Constitution: The Structure Of The Constitutionexplanatory essayOur Constitution was created by our founding fathers to ensure that the rights that for would never be infringed upon by anyone, especially the government. The drafters of the Constitution drew from previous documents and experience to make a statement that would govern not only the people, but the individual governments as well. Just as the Constitution guarantees our citizens rights, it also allocates specific rights to the states and federal governments. It also dictates when one may overrule the other. The Constitution has had longevity because of the fact that it can be modified or interpreted to be relevant to the current situation. We will discuss how the structured branches of government are designed to govern, as
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the constitution guarantees citizens' rights, allocates specific rights to states and federal governments, and dictates when one may overrule the other.
- Explains how the system of checks and balances prevents misuse of power by all three branches of government.
- Explains that with technology advancing at a new astronomical rate, it is hard for legislators to keep up with the every changing digital landscape.
- Explains that the constitution guarantees citizens' rights, allocates specific rights to states and federal governments, and dictates when one may overrule the other.
- Explains how the system of checks and balances prevents misuse of power by all three branches of government.
- Explains that with technology advancing at a new astronomical rate, it is hard for legislators to keep up with the every changing digital landscape.
- Explains the purpose of the constitution, which is to provide defense, freedom, justice, and promote peace for everyone.
- Explains that the 27 amendments in the constitution provide a lot of the rights we are accustomed to today.
1572 wordsRead More - Us Constitution Dbqexplanatory essayThe U.S. Constitution is a set of rules and laws that Americans live by that also protects their freedom and rights. Several events occurred that led up to the formation of this new constitution. One of the first events that occurred was the The Revolutionary War in 1775 between Britain and the colonies. The following year, the Declaration of Independence was written which allowed all of the 13 colonies to come together under one government. Soon after, the central government set up a series of laws called the Articles of Confederation. The Continental Congress wrote these to give the colonists a sense of unity within the government. A few years after the war ended, the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the u.s. constitution is a set of rules and laws that americans live by that also protects their freedom and rights.
- Explains that federalists and anti-federalists were groups of people that emerged after the ratification of the constitution.
- Explains that the u.s. constitution is a set of rules and laws that americans live by that also protects their freedom and rights.
- Explains that federalists and anti-federalists were groups of people that emerged after the ratification of the constitution.
548 wordsRead More - Us Constitution Dbqexplanatory essayThe US Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws. After gaining independence, America set themselves apart from others in a whole new way. Diverging away from the idea of a monarchical government, Americans created a new form of government based off of republicanism. Working together, they called it the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation is a written document within the Constitution that states the functions of the national government after the United States’ declared independence from Great Britain.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the us constitution established america's national government and fundamental laws, and created a new form of government based off of republicanism, the articles of confederation.
- Explains that the continental congress adopted the articles of confederation on november 15, 1777, but ratification by all thirteen states did not occur until march 1, 1781.
- States that maryland, pennsylvania, new jersey, delaware, and rhode island confined their charters to a few hundred miles of the atlantic.
- Explains that the us constitution established america's national government and fundamental laws, and created a new form of government based off of republicanism, the articles of confederation.
- Explains that the continental congress adopted the articles of confederation on november 15, 1777, but ratification by all thirteen states did not occur until march 1, 1781.
- States that maryland, pennsylvania, new jersey, delaware, and rhode island confined their charters to a few hundred miles of the atlantic.
- Explains that the philadelphia convention of 1787 made original changes in the national government by instituting a new constitution.
- Explains that the first 10 amendments to the constitution make up the bill of rights. they guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, including the right to free speech and a fair trial.
459 wordsRead More - Causes Of Tyranny Dbq Essaycomparative essayIn Federalist Paper #51, James Madison wrote, “The three branches should not be so far separated as to have no constitutional control over each other” (Document C). The framers gave the three branches of government ways to limit the power of the other two branches. Each branch can check their equal powers and approve or disapprove something that a branch has done. For instance, the legislature can impeach the president for his or her removal from office. Also, the President can appoint members of the Supreme Court. In addition, the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional. Each branch can check the other branches to make sure there is no problem, and if there is then it'll be
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the articles of confederation was one way to oppose british tyranny in the american colonies, but failed to sustain a government where power was balanced among politics.
- Explains that federalism guarded against tyranny by distributing certain powers between central and state government.
- Explains that the constitution prevented the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial to be put in one, or in many hands.
- Explains that the articles of confederation was one way to oppose british tyranny in the american colonies, but failed to sustain a government where power was balanced among politics.
- Explains that federalism guarded against tyranny by distributing certain powers between central and state government.
- Explains that the constitution prevented the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial to be put in one, or in many hands.
- Explains that large and small states compromise guard against tyranny in two ways: the virginia plan and the new jersey plan.
- Explains how the framers of the constitution prevented tyranny in government by establishing the system known as checks and balances.
- Concludes that the framers of the constitution protected the americans against tyranny. federalism, separation of powers, balancing the power between large and small states, and checks and balances defended the united states from the empowerment
665 wordsRead More - Justifying The Constitution Dbqopinion essayThe United States Constitution was a revolutionary deviation from the older Articles of Confederation, and, in fact, any other previous system of government in the entire world. Many people in the developing nation opposed the Constitution for various well-founded reasons. Anti-federalist was the name given to the people who disagreed with the Constitution and generally wanted a weaker central government. On the other hand, Federalists thought a stronger central government like the one proposed by the Constitution was needed for the new country. These parties each had convincing reasons to justify their beliefs; however, I tend to lean towards the beliefs of the Federalist Party. Looking at these ideas from both a historical perspective and
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states constitution was a revolutionary deviation from the older articles of confederation and any other previous system of government in the entire world.
- Explains that maryland ratified the articles of confederation, which described a unicameral system of government in which each state had one vote in congress.
- Opines that the articles of confederation showed many of the arguments anti-federalists used to justify their beliefs to be invalid.
- Explains that the united states constitution was a revolutionary deviation from the older articles of confederation and any other previous system of government in the entire world.
- Explains that maryland ratified the articles of confederation, which described a unicameral system of government in which each state had one vote in congress.
- Opines that the articles of confederation showed many of the arguments anti-federalists used to justify their beliefs to be invalid.
- Opines that federalist beliefs better society in the end. jefferson opposed the idea of a national bank, while hamilton viewed it as the correct way to interpret the constitution.
- Opines that the viewpoint of the federalist party makes more sense than anti-federalist views because the constitution is the longest living constitution in history.
925 wordsRead More - Separation Of Powers Dbq Essay Poweranalytical essayTo start out with, the constitution divided power so no one branch or person had complete power over the nation or others. In document B it states, ¨Liberty requires that the three departments of power are distinct and separate.¨ This means that in order to prevent and guard against tyranny we must have different and separate branches holding power if there is only one or they are too similar that could create a small group with close to complete power creating a tyranny. Power must be separated into three branches so that they may check and limit each other so that no laws are passed that will harm the nation and are unconstitutional. The three branches are very separate but can
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the americans made a constitution that guarded against tyranny by dividing power, making the branches able to check or limit each other.
- Explains that the constitution divided power so no one branch or person had complete power over the nation or others.
- Analyzes how the constitution limits power by letting the three branches of government check or limit each other.
- Explains that the americans made a constitution that guarded against tyranny by dividing power, making the branches able to check or limit each other.
- Explains that the constitution divided power so no one branch or person had complete power over the nation or others.
- Analyzes how the constitution limits power by letting the three branches of government check or limit each other.
- Explains that the constitution guarded against tyranny by dividing the power between big and little states. the federal government deals with matters of national security and national matters which gives them lots of power.
- Explains that the constitution in a nutshell guards against tyranny by dividing up the power given to them by the people so that no one group or person has complete power.
556 wordsRead More - U.S. Constitutionopinion essayThe document I chose to write about is the United States Constitution. When the thirteen British colonies in North America declared their independence in 1776, they laid down that “governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The “colonies” had to establish a government, which would be the framework for the United States. The purpose of a written constitution is to define and therefore more specifically limit government powers. After the Articles of Confederation failed to work in the 13 colonies, the U.S. Constitution was created in 1787.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the purpose of a written constitution is to define and therefore more specifically limit government powers.
- Opines that the constitution was important because it was expressly designed to limit powers into three co-ordinate branches, the legislative, executive, and judiciary branch.
- Explains that the federalist papers 10 & 51 helped persuade the citizens of the united states to vote for the federal constitution. james madison, alexander hamilton, and john jay used pseudonyms to convince the public.
- Explains the purpose of a written constitution is to define and therefore more specifically limit government powers.
- Opines that the constitution was important because it was expressly designed to limit powers into three co-ordinate branches, the legislative, executive, and judiciary branch.
- Explains that the federalist papers 10 & 51 helped persuade the citizens of the united states to vote for the federal constitution. james madison, alexander hamilton, and john jay used pseudonyms to convince the public.
- Opines that the importance of the constitution, both in its content and its status, is little appreciated by the general public.
430 wordsRead More - America's Democracyanalytical essayThe very history of the country, a major contributor to the evolution of its political culture, shows a legacy of democracy that reaches from the Declaration of Independence through over two hundred years to today’s society. The formation of the country as a reaction to the tyrannical rule of a monarchy marks the first unique feature of America’s democratic political culture. It was this reactionary mindset that greatly affected many of the decisions over how to set up the new governmental system. A fear of simply creating a new, but just as tyrannic...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states of america is a republic, or representative democracy. the broad definition leaves unanswered questions like who is the people and what should they rule on.
- Analyzes how the country's history shows a legacy of democracy that reaches from the declaration of independence through over two hundred years to today’s society. the reactionary mindset affected many decisions over how to set up the new governmental system.
- Explains that the freedom of religion guaranteed to all american citizens has allowed for an incredibly diverse and readily apparent faith-life throughout the country.
- Explains that the united states of america is a republic, or representative democracy. the broad definition leaves unanswered questions like who is the people and what should they rule on.
- Analyzes how the country's history shows a legacy of democracy that reaches from the declaration of independence through over two hundred years to today’s society. the reactionary mindset affected many decisions over how to set up the new governmental system.
- Explains that the freedom of religion guaranteed to all american citizens has allowed for an incredibly diverse and readily apparent faith-life throughout the country.
- Explains that immigrants, risk takers, and revolutionaries allowed america to boldly attempt a large-scale representative democracy unlike anything the world had seen.
- Analyzes how the democratic ideal of equality of opportunity gives democratic citizens an even chance to succeed in a vibrant, competitive economy.
- Analyzes how the political culture of america reflects the ongoing democratic process through its unique history, diverse religions, immigrant melting-pot nature, and market-driven economy.
1078 wordsRead More