Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence and every power jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States and Congress assembled. How does the US Constitution address concerns that resulted from the government described in this passage?
The US Constitution addresses concerns that resulted from the government described in this passage by establishing a stronger centralized government that was more capable of effectively governing a nation. It sought to strike a balance between state sovereignty and a strong federal government.
The Constitution achieved this by implementing a system of federalism, which divided power between the national government and state governments. The Tenth Amendment specifically reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. This ensured that states retained a certain level of sovereignty and independence.
Furthermore, the Constitution established a system of checks and balances, wherein each branch of government has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches. This was aimed at preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful, thus protecting individual liberties and state rights.
Additionally, the Constitution provided for the creation of a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives and the Senate. This ensured that both the states and the people had a voice in the legislative process, thereby addressing concerns about the representation of state interests.
Overall, the US Constitution sought to address concerns about the balance of power between the states and the federal government by establishing a system that protected both state sovereignty and the ability of the federal government to effectively govern the nation.
The US Constitution addresses concerns that resulted from the government described in this passage by establishing a new form of government with a stronger central authority. Here are the steps taken to address these concerns:
1. Creation of a new federal government: The US Constitution establishes a new federal government that has the power to make and enforce laws. This addresses the concern of having a weak central government by creating a stronger and more cohesive governing body.
2. Division of powers: The Constitution divides powers between the federal government and the individual states. It creates a system of dual sovereignty, where both the federal government and the states have their separate powers and jurisdictions. This helps address concerns about the potential concentration of power in the central government, preserving some autonomy for the individual states.
3. Delegation of powers: The Constitution explicitly delegates certain powers to the federal government while reserving others to the states. The federal government is granted certain enumerated powers, such as the power to regulate commerce, declare war, and collect taxes. All other powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government are retained by the states. This addresses concerns about the federal government encroaching on the states' sovereignty and jurisdiction.
4. Supremacy Clause: The Constitution includes a Supremacy Clause, which establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land. This means that state laws that conflict with the Constitution or federal laws are invalid. This helps address concerns about potential conflicts between state laws and the authority of the federal government.
5. Checks and balances: The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances among the three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, and judicial). This system prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, addressing concerns about the abuse of power by the central government.
Overall, the US Constitution aimed to strike a balance between protecting state sovereignty and establishing a stronger central government to address the shortcomings of the government described in the passage.
The passage you provided is from the Articles of Confederation, which was the first governing document of the United States from 1781 to 1789. However, due to its weak central government and several flaws, it led to various concerns and eventually resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution.
The US Constitution addresses the concerns by establishing a strong federal government with three separate branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Here's how each branch helps address the concerns:
1. Legislative Branch (Congress): The Constitution grants Congress the power to make laws on various issues, such as interstate commerce, national defense, and taxation. This helps address concerns about a lack of unified decision-making authority and coordination among the states.
2. Executive Branch (President): The Constitution establishes the President as the head of the executive branch, responsible for enforcing laws passed by Congress. This addresses the concern that the Articles of Confederation lacked a strong executive to carry out vital tasks such as maintaining national defense and representing the country internationally.
3. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court): The Constitution establishes the Supreme Court and other federal courts, which have the power to interpret and apply the law. This helps address concerns about possible disputes between states and ensures a uniform interpretation of the Constitution throughout the country.
In addition to these branches, the Constitution explicitly grants specific powers to the federal government, such as the power to regulate commerce, declare war, and levy taxes. This helps address the concern that under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government did not have enough authority to effectively govern the nation or address collective problems.
Furthermore, the Constitution includes provisions for amending the document, allowing for adjustments and revisions as society and its needs change. This addresses concerns that the Articles of Confederation could not be easily amended, leading to an inflexible government structure.
Overall, the US Constitution was designed to strengthen the federal government while still respecting the sovereignty of individual states. It addressed the concerns raised by the government structure described in the passage by creating a more balanced system that balanced the power between the federal government and the states.