Does The Government Abuse Their Powers Dbq

The government of the United States of America is a federal constitutional republic. In layman 's terms, this means that the country 's national, central government and the smaller, unitary governments of the fifty states are co-equal in their power, and that the citizens of America have a say in public policies by electing representatives who voice their respective opinions. More importantly, both the central government and the state governments are subject to the supreme law of the Constitution. Under this document, the central government is set up into three branches (the legislative, executive, and judicial) that are meant to check each other and balance out power. Their cooperation insures that the national government 's control is appropriate, and does not infringe upon the rights of the average American citizen.

One of the ways that the Constitution guards against tyranny is Federalism. Federalism is “a system of government in which power is divided between the central government and the state” (Foner, A-82) Document A States that the

According to Federalist Paper #51, Document A, James Madison stated, “The different governments will each control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.” the central government doesn’t have complete control over the states, and the states don’t have complete control over the central government. This prevents tyranny because one government, state or central, can take over. The second guard against tyranny was the Separation of Powers, which means the powers of the government that are divided among separate branches; the legislative, executive, and judiciary branch.

James Madison’s words in the Federalist Papers were “The different governments will each control each other, at the same time will be controlled by itself.” (Doc. A). By separating the central and state government, it created a security to the rights of each group, both forms of government had a separate job, but they also both watched over one another. This way guards from tyranny because it keeps the power completely separated between central and state government but also keeping the power balanced at the same time. Some powers given to the central government include: conducting foreign relations, providing an army and navy, and printing money, Meanwhile, some powers given to the states include: the setup of local governments, ability to hold elections, and regulating in-state business (Doc. A). Federalism was the framers’ first way to prevent tyranny in the constitution, while keeping the two groups of central and state government from obtaining to much

One way the constitution protect itself from tyranny is federalism. Federalism is is the power given to states, to the central government, and powers the two share. The central

The Constitution guarded against tyranny since 1790. They did this by separating the powers of the three branches of the federal government in a way that the branches can check with each other, and giving each state 2 senators. In Federalist Paper #47 by James Madison, it says, “(L)iberty requires that the three great departments of power should be separate and distinct.” This quote conveys that James Madison think that the three branches of the federal government, legislative, executive, and judicial, should be divided, but each will have equal power. The separation of power guards against tyranny, so one branch could not become too powerful than the other two. From the Federalist Paper #51 by James Madison, it states,

The power of the federal government is essentially unlimited, but the scope of this power is clearly defined. For example, in Federalist 23, Hamilton states, “Congress have an unlimited discretion to make requisitions of men and money.” The federal government has virtually unlimited power but a narrow realm of influence. To ensure a limited government, the powers allowed to the federal government are enumerated in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. While the Framers established enumerated powers to guard against an overall tyrannical government, they also created institutional mechanisms to prevent popular rule, faction rule, or branch domination. A republican form of government was established to inhibit a single faction or the majority from abusing power. Madison, in Federalist 10, says that a republican form of government “promises the cure for which we are seeking.” Representatives serve to both “guard against the cabals of a few” and “guard against the confusion of a multitude.” Madison recognizes that an “enlightened statesman will not always be at the helm” and thus there must be institutional protections. These institutional barriers such as enumerated powers, the separation of powers, and check and balances, help guard again an abuse of power. The Framers valued freedom and therefore sought a limited government with protections against

The United States is divided into two distinct governments and they both have different powers. The two governments will keep each other from gaining too much power. “In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments…” says James Madison (Doc A). By saying this he means that the united states should have two governments, a national and state government and they each should have their own powers. The national government’s powers are to regulate trade, conduct foreign relations, provide an army and navy, declare war, print and coin money, set up post offices and make immigration laws. The powers given to the state government is set up local governments, hold elections, establish schools, pass marriage and divorce laws and regulate in-state businesses. Because there is two distinct governments, there is less of a chance of

One way the U.S. constitution protects us against tyranny is separation of powers. A double security rises to the rights of the people. The government's control each other, but at the same time it will be controlled by itself. The National and State governments limit each other's powers and the powers are divided between them. If all the power is in the same hands then they will have to much and there will be a tyranny. James Madison said, “Liberty requires that the three great departments should be separate and distinct.” He talks about how the branches limit each other and that the powers are divided so one branch doesn't get too much. Separation of powers

The United States Constitution did little to nothing to protect citizens from actions of the states. In the twentieth century, the Supreme Court interpreted the Constitution to protect the right of the individual person from state governments in process referred to as incorporation.

Throughout the history of this nation, the Constitution, from the formation to the execution thereof, has set forth the precedent for the demonstration of excessive federal power that is clearly illustrated by history and modern America. Sufficient documentation to back up this premise includes primary documents such as James Madison’s Federalist No. 10, the Constitution of the United States, and other historical pieces. Ample consideration should be given to the paramount decisions of America’s elected officials in critical moments as well in the very construction of the American system of government that favors federalism.

Between 1787 and 1791 the Framers of the US Constitution established a system of government upon principles that had been discussed and partially implemented in many countries over the course of several centuries, but never before in such a pure and complete design, which we call a constitutional republic. Since then, the design has often been imitated, but important principles have often been ignored in those imitations, with the result that their governments fall short of being true republics or truly constitutional. The Framers of the Constitution tried very hard to design a system that would not allow any one person or group within the government to gain too much power. Personally, I think they

Have you ever wondered what the US would be like if our government was a tyranny? Well, thanks to our founding fathers for creating a strong constitution, we don’t have to worry about that. The constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia. The problem was that the existing government that was under the Articles Of Confederation wasn’t very successful. Therefore, the fifty-five delegates representing twelve out of the thirteen states came together to tweak our constitution to create a strong government without allowing one person, or group of people to have too much power. The framers used the Constitution to protect against Tyranny in three ways federalism, separation of powers, and

“The accumulation of all power... in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many (is) the very definition of tyranny.”  James Madison believed tyranny could be exhibited in many ways. In May of 1787 our founding fathers assembled to Philadelphia to discuss the Articles of Confederation which was the United States current constitution. After much debate, the decision was to obliterate the Articles of Confederation and adopt a completely different constitution which is our current United State’s Constitution. The United State’s current Constitution was officially ratified ten months after the meeting. Consisting of; Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Balancing Power between the Large and Small States.

In the United States Constitution it is stated that “No single section of the constitution deals with federalism. Instead, the provisions dividing power between the states and the national government appear throughout the constitution. Most of the constitution is concerned with establishing the powers of the national government. National power is also based on the supremacy clause of article VI, which says that the constitution and laws made in accordance with it are “the supreme law of the land”. This means that when national and state laws conflict, the national laws will be followed. Article I, section 9 limits the power of the national government over individuals. The tenth amendment the constitution also limits the state powers in Article I, section10 and denies the states certain powers” (Keeping the