Question
The 13 states formed a new government under the Article of Confederation. This government was very weak. States held all the power and the central gov- ernment had little This proved unworkable.In 1787,American leaders met again They wrote a new framework of government: The Constitution of the United States drew on many Enlightenment ideas.It used Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers into three branches of government. Through a system of checks and bal- ances, each branch was able to prevent other branches from abusing their power.The Constitution also set up a federal, system . Under this system, power was divided between national and state governments. The Constitution also used"Locke's idea of putting power in the hands of the people It used Voltaire's ideas to protect the right to free speech and freedom of religion.It used Beccaria's ideas about a fair system of justice. Many of these rights were ensured in a set of additions to the Constitution called the Bill of Rights. The inclusion of a bill of rights helped win approval for the Constitution. 3. Explain how the Constitution divides power.
Solution
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ZacharyMaster · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The Constitution divides power in two main ways:<br /><br />1. **Separation of Powers:** Power is divided among three branches of government:<br /> * **Legislative (Congress):** Makes laws.<br /> * **Executive (President):** Enforces laws.<br /> * **Judicial (Supreme Court and other federal courts):** Interprets laws.<br /><br /> This system, inspired by Montesquieu, prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful. Each branch has ways to check or limit the power of the other two through a system of checks and balances.<br /><br />2. **Federalism:** Power is divided between the national (federal) government and the state governments. Certain powers are delegated to the federal government (like declaring war and printing money), while others are reserved for the states (like education and local law enforcement). Some powers are shared by both (like taxation). This division of power helps to balance national unity with states' rights.<br />
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