In 1777, the Continental Congress drafted the original constitution, for the union of the 13 founding states. This was known as the Articles of Confederation. Led by John Dickinson, the Congress designed a loose confederation, rather than a strong and centralized nation. This document encompasses many significant terms, but also includes a few weaknesses. However, the problems that arose in the Articles, were addressed in the newly drafted Constitution. The Constitution was the following document drafted by the Constitutional Convention in 1789, which revitalized the previous constitution, by creating an entirely new one. .
The Articles of Confederation contained a very important political issue, a lack of an Executive Branch or President. This lack of universal authority, created many branching issues within the nation. Congress was granted limited powers, which left major decisions up in the air; laws could only be passed with the singular vote of each state, to reach the minimum of a seven-state agreement. Other issues also arose, declaring war or making treaties required 9 of the 13 states to approve. With this criterion, the states couldn't make any major decisions. .
The newly drafted Constitution addressed this political issue with the establishment of separation of powers, and checks and balances. These key principles play a vital role in the political stability of the United States. The separation of powers divided the federal government into three distinct branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This assigns specific powers to each of the three branches. The Legislative branch, or Congress, enacts laws. The Executive branch, led by the President, carries out the laws, negotiates treaties, and commands armed forces. The Judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court, interprets the Constitution and enforces the laws. The purpose of checks and balances, is to prevent a single center of power.
The Articles of Confederation, 1781, described the first attempt at an independent national government based on a confederation. ... Oversight: Allows Congress to review laws enacted and ensure that they are being enforced and administered as intended. 5. ...
Schlesinger also believes that the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union after World War II, "led to congress surrendering much of its oversight of military and diplomatic matters" (pg. 1). ... Stated in the Articles of Confederation, the writers believed that the excess power of the British monarch "represented a fatal flaw" (pg. 4) in Great Britain's system of government. ...
In low intensity armed conflicts or post conflict situations such as Afghanistan and Iraq their employees, contracted as civilians but armed as military personnel, operate in "grey zones" as unlawful combatants without oversight or accountability, under murky legal restraints2 and often with immunity. ...
The Federal Government The Federal Government The three branches of the federal government provide a base for the way we live our lives. The process by which the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches operate is long, but necessary. Each branch has a duty to watch the others through a process of checks and balances mandated by the Constitution of the United States. The following will give a brief explanation of each branch and their duties. Judicial Branch Our Judicial branch of government is defined in Article III of the Constitution and by Congress. ...