Based on the sources and your knowledge of social studies, evaluate the success of the Constitutional principles of separation o
f powers and checks and balances in addressing concerns about government under the Articles of Confederation.
As you write, follow the directions below.
Address all parts of the prompt.
Include information and examples from your own knowledge of social studies.
Use evidence from the sources to support your response. 7th Social Studies BM2 Set 1
The Constitution
Directions:
Read each source and question. Then follow the directions to answer each question. Mark your answers by choosing the correct choice. You may look back at the sources when needed.
Some of the questions will ask you to write a response.
If you do not know the answer to a question, you may go on to the next question. If you finish early, you may review your answers and any questions you did not answer in this benchmark.
Source 1
The Preamble of the United States Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America.
Source 2
Adapted from Thoughts on Government (April 1776)
by John Adams
This excerpt is from a pamphlet written by John Adams in the form of a letter to a fellow statesman.
We should consider the purpose of government before we determine which is the best form. Upon this point all politicians will agree, that the happiness of society is the purpose of government. From this principle it will follow, that the form of government, which communicates ease, comfort, security, or in one word happiness to the greatest number of persons, and in the greatest degree, is the best.
The worth and stability of government in all its branches depend upon an upright and skillful administration of justice. The judicial power should be distinct from both the legislative and executive and independent from both so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that.
We are living at a time when the greatest law-givers of antiquity would have wished to live. How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making a government for themselves or their children.
antiquity: ancient times
Source 3
Excerpt of a Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, December 20, 1787
In October of 1787, James Madison sent a copy of the signed Constitution to Thomas Jefferson in Paris where
he was serving as the Ambassador to the Court of Louis XVI. This is an excerpt of Jefferson’s response to Madison.
I will now add what I do not like.... First the omission of a bill of rights providing clearly and without the aid of sophisms for freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection against standing armies...
Let me add that a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference...
sophism: an argument that is correct in form but is used to deceive
Source: National Archives
Source 4
Principles of the Constitution: Checks and Balances
Top Left
Checks on Legislative Branch:
Propose laws
Vetoes laws
Calls special sessions of Congress
Makes nominations to federal offices
Negotiates foreign treaties
Top Right
Checks on Judicial Branch:
Nominates federal judges
Grants pardons to federal offenders
Middle Left
Checks on Executive Branch:
Overrides presidential veto
Confirms executive nominations
Appropriates money
Impeaches and removes presidents
Middle Righ
Checks on Executive Branch:
Declares executive actions unconstitutional
Bottom Left
Checks on Judicial Branch:
Establishes lower federal courts
Impeaches and removes judges
Proposes amendments to overrule judicial decisions
Confirms federal judges
Bottom Right
Checks on Legislative Branch:
Declares acts of Congress unconstitutional
Source 5
Excerpt of Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution
.... Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative....
