Federalism in action...

Please watch the video explaining the federalism article assignment.

Changing the Constitution

As the framers wrote the Constitution and fought for its ratification they clearly envisioned a time and place where the supreme law of the land would have to be changed. As Jefferson himself stated, "The Constitution belongs to the living and not to the dead." In fact, it took but two years after ratification for the first ten amendments to be added.

You will now look at this process to change the Constitution. Respond to the following prompt...

1) How can the Constitution be changed? Please detail the formal and informal methods. Explain the differences between the two methods, the steps involved in the formal amending process, and the several ways to change the Constitution informally while providing examples.
2) Detail how the Constitution has been transformed as a result of the events on 9/11.
3) Finally, explain the claim that the Constitution is a flexible document.

The Ratification Battle

As the table and map above reveal, acceptance of the Constitution was not universal. Many opposed its ratification and formed strong political opposition to its passage.

Waging battles throughout the states these Anti-Federalists saw tyranny in the Constitution. In their eyes the Constitution represented a betrayal of the revolutionary principles the nation had declared 11 years before and just finished fighting for a mere four years prior.

The Federalists strongly disagreed with the Anti-Federalist interpretation of the Constitution. In their mind this new document and the government it sought to create was a reasonable response to the uncertainty plaguing the nation.

As the two sides waged a tireless battle throughout the states contrasting visions of the proper role of government emerged. Consider this development as you respond to the prompt.

Who was right in the ratification battles? As you answer this question make sure to consider and detail both sides of the debate. Make sure you explain the Anti-Federalist opposition and the Federalist responses to the criticisms cast against the Constitution.

The Constitution and Government

The Constitution clearly established a governing structure that many admire and many others despise. You will not weigh-in on this debate.

Please consider the following questions in the prompt below:

How does the constitutional structure of the United States Government promote individualism?

How does the constitutional structure encourage political stalemate?

What are the advantages of the constitutional structure?

What are the limitations of this governing structure?

Consider these as your respond to...

How does the governing structure created in the U.S. Constitution affect the role of government? Make sure you have a clear thesis or argument that is supported with evidence.

How democratic is the U.S. Constitution?

When the framers of the U.S. Constitution gathered in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 they looked to create a new national government.

Responding to the growing economic, social, and political uncertainty of their time, these 55 men generated one of the most momentous documents ever written.

This document, fashioned in the heat of 109 days, came to spell out and define the governmental structure of the United States. Yet debates over its intentions and meanings still rage today.

Central to these debates is the issue of the document's democratic nature. Did the framers want to create a democracy? Or, did they wish to limit the powers of the majority? Did the framers look to fashion a democratic model to protect and represent the wishes of the public? Or, did they seek to establish a governing structure that would limit and prevent so-called "mobocracy" from taking hold?

These are the questions you must consider as you answer the prompt below:

How democratic is the U.S. Constitution? In your answer provide a clear thesis and argument. Additionally, cite evidence explaining how the document both limits and promotes democratic principles. Use this evidence to defend your own argument.