Constitution and Bill of Rights
"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." The Constitution affected the United States government by giving it power and protecting the United States from absolutism. Starting out as the weaker Articles of confederation and later advancing into the stronger Constitution, the "Supreme Law of the Land" is the back bone of the United States government known today. Without the strong foundation of the Constitution, the frail nation that was America could not have survived for more than a few more years on the Articles of Confederation before crumbling into chaos. The severe deficit in Congressional power, a deprived government, and no Bill of Rights helped to show Americans that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate for a long-term government and the Constitution was better suited to govern their nation. The new Constitution was a better choice for the American people because of the improved congressional and governmental powers and the eventual adoption of a Bill of Rights. The Articles of Confederation was the start it everything. It was an inferior choice to the Constitution because the Constitution gave more power to Congress. For example, under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could not control foreign commerce nor could it control interstate commerce. This inability to regulate led to crippling competition between states. Trouble overseas, such as Barbados pirates, also hindered foreign trade to an already weak system. Next, Laws could only by passed by Congress under the Articles of Confederation. Compliance from the States was entirely optional. The Constitution, as stated in Article VI, forced all states to obey the laws set forth by Congress, thereby unifying
Bibliography: Parpworth; Constitutional and Administrative Law, 4th edition, (2006) Oxford Press Bradley and Ewing; Constitutional and Administrative Law, 14th edition, (2006) Longman Barnett; Constitutional and Administrative Law, 6th edition (2006) Cavendish Alder; Principles of constitutional and Administrative Law, 4th edition (2002) Palgrave The Independent ; The Big Question: Why doesn 't the UK have a written constitution, and does it matter? 14th February (2008) The Independent; leading article: rights and wrongs, 14th February (2008) www.direct.gov.uk http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/2562495.stm http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/british_constitution1.htm http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/ld200102/ldselect/ldconst/11/1103.htm