Constitution

2 Pages 449 Words

The Constitutional Convention began on May 25, 1787, when 55 delegates arrived
at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House.
There the delegates amended the Articles of Confederation. Four questions proved far
more difficult to resolve: conflicts over how the people were to be represented in
Congress; what to do about slavery; the powers of the president and the procedures for
election to the office; and the powers and functions of the federal courts. The delegates
settled most of the scores of issues quickly. They then created a new Constitution, a plan
of government designed to solve the governmental problems caused under the Articles of
Confederation. Since they made such a flexible document it still continues to guide this
nation today.

The Constitution spells out in six sections the powers of the federal government
and the states. Later amendments expanded some of these powers and limited others.
For example in document #2 many years later the voting laws were able to be changed
so that no matter your race, sex, color, or age as long as your 18 years of age or older,
you cant be denied the right to vote. The Constitution prevents cruel or unjust use of
power through the separation of powers. In document #4 it talks about the system of
checks and balances and how each branch of government has its own responsibilities
and cannot take action in areas assigned to the other branches. Otherwise one person or
group being in control with all that power would not be good for the nation as a whole.
Congress enacts laws, leaving enforcement of the laws to the executive branch and
interpretation of them to the judicial branch. As stated in document #5 in the Marbury
v. Madison case the judicial branch with the power and authority to interpret the
constitution, was provided with a veto over federal laws. The Constitution divides
governmental powers in other ways, both w...