key term - The Constitution

Definition

The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the framework of government and the fundamental rights of its citizens. It was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, establishing a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution also serves as a foundation for the Bill of Rights, which guarantees individual liberties and limits government power.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
2. It established a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to represent the population and the states.
3. The Constitution can be amended through a rigorous process, requiring approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.
4. The Preamble outlines the purpose of the Constitution, including promoting justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, and securing the blessings of liberty.
5. The Constitution originally did not include a Bill of Rights; it was added later in response to concerns about protecting individual freedoms.

Review Questions

• How does the Constitution establish a system of checks and balances among the branches of government?
  • The Constitution creates a system of checks and balances by assigning specific powers to each branch: legislative, executive, and judicial. For example, Congress has the power to make laws, but the President can veto legislation. Similarly, while the President appoints judges, they must be confirmed by the Senate. This framework ensures that no single branch can dominate or abuse its power, maintaining a balance that protects democratic governance.
• Discuss how the process for amending the Constitution reflects the framers' intentions for a living document.
  • The amendment process is intentionally rigorous, requiring broad consensus to ensure that only significant changes are made to the Constitution. This reflects the framers' intention for the document to be both stable and adaptable to societal changes. By requiring two-thirds approval from both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures, the framers aimed to balance flexibility with stability, allowing future generations to amend the Constitution while preventing hasty alterations.
• Evaluate the impact of adding the Bill of Rights on public perception of the Constitution and its effectiveness in protecting individual liberties.
  • The addition of the Bill of Rights significantly enhanced public confidence in the Constitution by explicitly enumerating individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process. This move addressed concerns from Anti-Federalists who feared that a strong central government could infringe on personal freedoms. By guaranteeing these rights, the Bill of Rights not only solidified support for ratification but also established a framework for interpreting civil liberties in subsequent legal cases, reinforcing its effectiveness as a protector of individual rights against government overreach.

Related terms

Federalism:

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, like states.

Amendments:

Formal changes or additions made to the Constitution, allowing it to evolve with society's needs.

Checks and Balances:

A principle of government that ensures no one branch becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.