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Three Basic Principles Upon Which The Us Constitution Is Based Essay

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American Government Test 1

1. Explain the three basic principles upon which the US constitution is based?
The three basic principles which the U.S. Constitution is based on are federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Federalism, or the federal system, is a method to divide the power of government between a strong national government and each of the states, with the national power being the most powerful. Separation of powers is basically a method of splitting up the power of government among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Checks and balances is a framework that gives each of the three branches some ability to oversee and control what the other branches do.

2. What were the principle weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and what prompted the desire for change?
The principle weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were Congress not having specific power to tax, Congress not being allowed to regulate commerce among the states or with foreign nations, no provision for an executive branch or judicial system to handle the ongoing conflicts among the states, and its failure to provide for a strong, central government. Alexander Hamilton and George Washington saw the nation in such disrepair and were interested in land expansion and trade that they saw how much the country …show more content…
They were added because they offer several specific limitations on the national government that interfere with citizen’s personal liberties.

4. Explain the process of incorporation. What is it and how did it begin?
The power of incorporation, or the incorporation doctrine, was an interpretation of the Constitution holding that the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires local and state governments to guarantee the rights the Bill of Rights states.

5. Explain the various powers of the president and it what way was Washington influential in shaping the modern

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