In the summer of 1787, delegates met to fix the government that was under the very weak Articles of Confederation which was causing a lot of problems. They decided to create the Constitution and tried to make sure that tyranny would not be possible. The constitution guarded against tyranny by practicing federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and representative democracy.
Federalism in the constitution helps guard against tyranny by giving neither the state or central government enough power to tyrannize. According to Doc. A, “James Madison, Federalist Paper #51, 1788”, “power...is first divided between two distinct governments” Also in the Venn diagram on Doc A neither the state or local government possesses all the power. They either have to share a power or only one side gets that certain power. This helps guard against tyranny because it is preventing the central or local government from holding all power. …show more content…
According to Doc. B, “James Madison, Federalist Paper #47, 1788”, “Liberty requires that the three great departments of power should be separate and distinct." and if they are not then it “may be justly pronounced the very definition of tyranny...” According to Doc. B, Constitution of the United States of America, 1787, the three branches of government have 3 different responsibilities. The executive branch enforces laws. The legislative branch makes laws. The judicial branch interprets the law. No one branch of government has all the power because they are all separated which means tyranny doesn't