United States Government
Secondary schools need to teach about the framing and history of the United States Constitution to continue our democracy. Students in government class consider and decide over conflicting American views on the Constitution. Several areas of importance critical to continuing our American experiment arise through in-depth study of the Constitution: origins, the tradition of loyal opposition, and a mechanism of compromise, voter participation, and popular sovereignty. Since our conception there have been vigorous debates as to what the delegates of the Convention meant by creating this Federal legal instrument. Was the Constitution only to support American Liberalism? Or was it to consolidate wealth and power for control over the people? Was it a combination, or neither? When studying the Bill of Rights, pupils see the intellectual debate that nurtured the heritage of the tradition of loyal opposition, the debate between anti-federalist and federalists. By writing down their disagreements about the merits of the proposed Constitution, these framers established a mechanism for conflict resolution. Students learn from this that while we can disagree politically, we do so without violence, and that governments transition without a coup d’état. Further study of the Constitution shows students the process for creating a peaceful democracy.
Our Constitution produced a somewhat peaceful resolution to religious and political conflicts. Convention delegates in Philadelphia were from an aristocratic affluent class; other founders were farmers who had come back from war in debt. The Constitution is still trying to bring all levels of society under one just, legal umbrella. America’s Constitution and civic life empowers students to see that voting and participation are important. [Civitas] Madison wanted to stop powerful interests or inappropriate factions from controlling government. His vision was to compose a Constitution that would ensure that the majority can never reign over the few, nor that the few reign over the many.
Our Constitution produced a somewhat peaceful resolution to religious and political conflicts. Convention delegates in Philadelphia were from an aristocratic affluent class; other founders were farmers who had come back from war in debt. The Constitution is still trying to bring all levels of society under one just, legal umbrella. America’s Constitution and civic life empowers students to see that voting and participation are important. [Civitas] Madison wanted to stop powerful interests or inappropriate factions from controlling government. His vision was to compose a Constitution that would ensure that the majority can never reign over the few, nor that the few reign over the many.
One LegislativeAll legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives
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Two Executive |
Three JudicialThe 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. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
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