Constitution and Powers Essay

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Tyranny. It’s the absolute power in the hands of one individual – like a king or dictator. With too much power, the government is too controlling. Without any power, there is anarchy. How could you create a nation with enough control for a strong government, without descending into tyranny? Our founding fathers wanted to form a country that has enough power, but doesn’t terrorize the people. Madison believed in order to hold the nation together, we needed to keep control of power among people. With the Articles of Confederation not working, it was necessary that a new Constitution was made. So in May of 1787, 55 delegates joined from 11 of 13 states to the Constitutional Convention. Here, they made a plan to create a new Constitution that would make our government stronger. The Constitution guards against tyranny by federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. First, the Constitution guards against tyranny by federalism. “In the compound Republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments.” (DOC A). Madison had an idea of federalism, division of power between central and state governments. “The different governments will each control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.” (DOC A). By allowing the governments to check on each other, it helps make sure not one branch grows stronger than others. Federalism distributes certain powers between the state and central. Second, the Constitution guards against tyranny by separation of powers. “The accumulation of all powers, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, may be justly pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” (DOC B). Madison believed that we will create tyranny by giving one group all the power. “Liberty required that the three great departments of power should be separate and distinct.” (DOC B). With all of the powers separated, the government’s powers will be divided equally. The separation of powers prevents only 1 branch of government
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