The American Experience

How do we “Ensure Domestic Tranquility”?

Information: When the Constitution was drafted in 1787, there was great discord between the thirteen states. For six years under the Articles of Confederation, each state viewed its own sovereignty and power as paramount. States argued over trade and tariff policy, boundaries and western lands, and navigation rights on rivers. In addition, most every state had its own militia and currency.

Information: The Preamble to the United States Constitution lists as one of the purposes for creating our government: “…to promote the General Welfare”. Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which lays out the powers of the national government, reiterates this language in greater specificity: “to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and “General welfare.” What is the “General welfare”?

Information: Explain the different meanings of “liberty”; analyze the relationship between natural rights, liberty, and democracy ...

Information: The Preamble to the United State Constitution includes “Establish Justice” as one of the purposes for creating the constitution. Lady Justice, blindfolded with measuring scales and a sword, is an allegorical personification of the moral force in the judicial system. The Pledge of Allegiance ends with the words “with liberty and justice for all.” The federal government and each state maintain a Department of Justice. The term “justice” and the concept of fairness are all around us.

Information: The First Amendment prohibits Congress from interfering with: an individual’s ability to express views freely ...