1.
Why
is the United States Constitution stronger than the articles of confederation? How
would the history of the United States be if the country still operated under
the articles? The Constitution has survived for over 220
years while the Articles failed after just 8 years. The Articles failed because
they did not give Congress the national government power enough power. The new
Constitution addressed many of the problems created by the Articles by creating
a federal system of government with a much more powerful national government. It
gave the national government the power to tax, draft troops, etc. it also
created an executive branch and federal court system, both of which were
lacking under the Articles of Confederation. These are a few reasons the
Constitution is stronger than the Articles.
I believe the United States would not have much of a history without the
Constitution.
2.
The first three articles of the
Constitution establish/define the three branches of government – read these
articles. What did you learn that you didn’t already know about our government?
The first
three Articles of the Constitution establish the rules and separate powers of
the three branches of the federal government. The Legislative Branch is the
part of the United States government that writes, debates, and passes laws. The
Executive Branch is responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the
laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. The
Judicial Branch interprets the laws and administers justice. I learned article
1 divides Congress into a Senate and a House of Representatives. Article 2 establishes an executive department headed by a president
and vice president. The article further describes the powers of the offices,
the manner of election, and the qualifications for office. Article 3 judicial
power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme court, and in such
inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
3. How
important is the Supreme Court ruling in Marbury v. Madison and why? Marbury v. Madison was the first
U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principles of judicial review. The power
of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution.
The decision played a key role in making the Supreme Court a separate branch of
government on par with Congress and the executive.
4. Looking
at the United States government today, is it more like what the Federalists or
the Anti-Federalists envisioned and why? I think our government is more federalist based because
the Anti-Federalists believe the government should have zero power over the
states.
