Examples Of It's Shield Against Tyranny Dbq

The Constitution: It’s Shield Against Tyranny “The United States of America”, or better yet what individuals know and cherish as the land of the free and home of the brave. Going all the way back to the colonial period of the 17th century to now, one can’t help but to recognize the documents that implemented this country’s first sense of structure. Beginning with the Articles of Confederation, which was the country’s initial constitution, posed serious weaknesses, like the inability to enforce laws or the total lack of an official court system. After a prolonged debate, the first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to draft together a new written U.S. Constitution, which would not only replace the Articles of Confederation and fix all

In other words, Federalism is power not held by the people being split into two; that is the powers of the central and state governments. Some of the powers given to the central government were the ability to regulate trade, conduct foreign relations, declare war and to print and coin money which created the national currency (Document A). Meanwhile, some powers given to the state were ones such as the ability to hold elections, establish schools and pass marriage and divorce laws (Document A). This compound government instills a double-security for the people within the nation because this method works so that the central and state governments could check each other’s power while still being able to independently control itself. Federalism protects from tyranny by making sure that power isn’t only vested by the government, but also by the people of

Madison pointed out, “...the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such manner as that they may be check on the other…” (Document C). In other words, the goal is for the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) is to have a measure of influence on each other, allowing and blocking some procedures being brought out by the other branches. For example the president (executive) can appoint judges in the Supreme Court (judicial), but the courts in return can declare presidential acts unconstitutional. The Supreme Court can also declare laws made by legislation unconstitutional, but the Senate (legislative) confirms judges nominated by the president and have the power to impeach or remove them from office. Though chief executive, the president can be overridden and impeached by the Legislative branch. This format protects from tyranny because once it again, it limits the powers of each branch, so that the power is evenly weighted and distributed among the three branches and keep them at