DBQ How the Constitution Guards Against Tyranny Tyranny

DBQ – How the Constitution Guards Against Tyranny

Tyranny – Too much or absolute power in the hands of just one person or group

The Constitution – plan of government for the U. S. , supreme law

Illustration: Tyranny vs. Constitution

How does the Constitution fight tyranny? Lets create a new government for the nation but keep the state governments too. That way they can limit each other’s powers. We’ll call the national or central government the FEDERAL government. So we can call this system FEDERALISM.

1. Federalism – Divides government into two levels The U. S. government (a national, central or federal government) POWER Examples of their powers: declare war, post office, print and coin money, make immigration laws, etc… State governments (50 of them today!) Examples of their powers: hold elections, establish schools, set up local governments, etc…

How does the Constitution fight tyranny? Let’s split the federal government into three branches like the states. That way no branch has all the power – they split the job of ruling the people between them. (Articles I, II and III of the Constitution)

2. Separation of powers – Divides each level of government into three branches National, central or federal government Legislative Powers (make laws) U. S. Congress Executive Powers (enforce laws) POWER President State governments State legislature Governor Judicial Powers (judge laws) Supreme & other courts State Supreme Court & other state courts

Separation of powers – Divides each level of government into three branches

How does the Constitution fight tyranny? Hmmm…but one of the branches might still dominate the others. How do we keep one from becoming too powerful? Legislative Branch Executive Judicial Branch Ah ha! I have more power now!

3. Checks and balances – Each of the three branches can limit the power of the others. National, central or federal government Oh no…now I can’t get more powerful! These “checks” are keeping me down! Legislative Powers (make laws) U. S. Congress Can veto a bill Can override a vetol Executive Can declare an act Judicial unconstitutional Powers (enforce laws) (judge laws) President Nominates judges Supreme & other courts

Checks and balances – Each of the three branches can limit or “check” the power of the others. Other ways each branch can “check” the power of the others and keep a “balance” of equal power for the three branches.

Checks and balances – Each of the three branches can limit or “check” the power of the others. Think of checking like when a basketball player is checking or guarding another player to prevent them from scoring…they limit the other player’s movement and ability.

Checks and balances – Each of the three branches can limit or “check” the power of the others. Do you remember one way the Executive Branch (White House) can check the power of the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)?

How does the Constitution fight tyranny? Hmmm…but what if the (legislative branch) Congress is dominated by the large states because they have more representatives? Let’s split Congress into two houses – Senate and House of Representatives

4. Representation in Congress: Big States vs. Small States If you remember, the government was separated into three branches… The legislative power (power to make laws) was given to Congress.

Representation in Congress – The “Great Compromise” of the Constitutional Convention Virginia said, “It’s not fair if New Jersey gets the same number of representatives as us because we have more people! We deserve more representatives. ” New Jersey said, “It’s not fair if Virginia gets more representatives, then the states are not equal…and the big ones will dominate us. ” How about a compromise solution: one “house” of Congress will be based on population…the House of Representatives. Senate House of representatives Another house, called the Senate will be based on 2 senators per state – Equal Representation per state.

Representation in Congress House of Representatives The house of Congress based on population…is the House of Representatives.

Representation in Congress House of Representatives When we count the population every 10 years – take a census – the numbers of representatives per state can go up or down.

Representation in Congress Senate