Learning Objectives 3

Question 1

LO1

explain the reasons for the colonies’ declaration of independence from british rule

Answer 1

constitution was the end product of a revolutionary movement aimed at preserving existing liberties. the movement began with the declaration of independence, which proclaimed that everyone is entitled to certain rights and invoked the principle of equality of peoples. the conflict was also a civil war that divided communities and families.

Question 2

LO2

identify the factors that led to the failure of the confederation

Answer 2

after independence, a government was needed to replace the british monarchy. the americans chose a republic and defined the structure of that republic in the articles of confederation. although the articles guaranteed the states the independence they coveted, they were a failure: they left the central government too weak to deal with disorder and insurrection.

Question 3

LO3

explain the major points of contention in the writing of the constitution

Answer 3

the constitutional convention was fraught with debate over the strength of government at the state versus the national level and the nature of the presidency. to resolve these conflicts, compromises were carefully crafted that all delegates could support, even if only reluctantly.

Question 4

LO4

describe the actions taken to ensure the ratification of the constitution

Answer 4

major stumbling block to ratification of the constitution proved to be its failure to list the individual liberties the amercians had fought to protect against the potential tyranny of a stronger central government. with the promise to add a bill of rights, the constitution was ratified.

Question 5

LO6

explain the procedures required to amend the constitution

Answer 5

the founders recognized that the constitution would need to be amended to serve the changing needs of the citizenry. they therefore enumerated different formal methods for amending the document. in practice, the constitution has also been modified through the courts and through changes in political practice

Question 6

LO7
evaluate the extent to which the constitution reflects and embodies the principles of majoritarian or pluralist democracy

Answer 6

the constitution was designed to strike a balance between order and freedom. while the framers did not set out to create a democracy, they nevertheless produced a democratic form of government of the pluralist kind. the framers also wanted a balance between the powers of the national government and those of the states, the exact nature of which would be contested for many years to come