U.S. Constitution

Definition

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for the federal government and outlining the rights of citizens. It embodies principles such as limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch of government becomes too powerful and protecting individual liberties against government overreach.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The U.S. Constitution was drafted in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and ratified in 1788.
2. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which created a weak federal government and proved ineffective at governing the newly independent states.
3. The Constitution can be amended; there are currently 27 amendments, allowing it to adapt to changing societal needs while maintaining its core principles.
4. Limited government is a key principle in the Constitution, meaning that government powers are restricted to those specifically granted by the document itself.
5. The system of checks and balances ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others, preventing any branch from becoming too powerful.

Review Questions

• How does the U.S. Constitution embody the principle of limited government?
  • The U.S. Constitution embodies limited government by explicitly defining the powers granted to each branch of government and prohibiting actions that exceed those powers. This framework is designed to protect citizens from potential abuses by ensuring that government authority is restricted to what is outlined in the Constitution. Furthermore, by providing for checks and balances among the branches, it prevents any one branch from gaining excessive power.
• In what ways does the Bill of Rights enhance the concept of limited government within the framework of the U.S. Constitution?
  • The Bill of Rights enhances limited government by explicitly enumerating individual rights that cannot be infringed upon by the federal government. These first ten amendments serve as a safeguard against governmental overreach by guaranteeing fundamental freedoms such as speech, assembly, and religion. By doing so, it reinforces the idea that certain rights are inherent and cannot be violated by those in power, ensuring a check on governmental authority.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the system of checks and balances established by the U.S. Constitution in maintaining limited government throughout American history.
  • The system of checks and balances has proven effective in maintaining limited government throughout American history by creating a dynamic interplay between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has mechanisms to limit the powers of the others; for instance, Congress can pass laws, but the President can veto them, while the Supreme Court can rule laws unconstitutional. This ongoing balance has helped prevent any single branch from dominating governance, thereby protecting democratic principles and individual rights as outlined in the Constitution.

Related terms

Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

Separation of Powers: The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states, allowing for both national and local governance.