How the Constitution Guards Against Tyranny?

In 1787, the Articles of Confederation had flaws that allowed more power to the states than to the central government. The founding fathers of this nation met in Philadelphia to create a solution to the Articles. The solution was the Constitution to guard the nation against tyranny. How would the solution guard against tyranny? The constitution guards the nation against tyranny by the concepts of equal representation from the states, checks and balances, separation of powers and the aspect of federalism.

First concept that protects against tyranny is equal representation from the states. In Document D, the constitution states, “the number of representatives shall not entered on for every thirty thousand but each state have at least one representative…Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators by the legislatures thereof for six years; each senator shall have one vote.” These laws make sure the states have equal power. The states will have the equal representation in the national government giving them the opportunity to say their opinions. If the Articles were still here the bigger states would have more control over the smaller one.

Second way the Constitution guards against tyranny is the checks and balances systems of the three national branches of government. In Document C, James Madison states, “the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices …may be a check to the other…should not be so far separated as to no constitutional control over each other. “ The quote means the branches check each other to make sure they have equal power; the branches balance by using their equal power and approve or disapprove some action that the other branch does, as an example, the Legislative branch can impeach either the President or a judge from their branches. If one branch overpowers the other two then that one branch controls the government. Checks and Balances system in the Constitution is used to protect against tyranny.