Ohanian 1

Luke Ohanian

Mrs. Morris

History Period 4

25 February 2022

How Did the Constitution Guard Against Tyranny?

Tyranny is like hell. This relates to tyranny because they are both dark places where you

get tortured. It is a dark place because tyranny can destroy a whole country. It created a new

Constitution because the old one was too weak. They wanted to create a strong central

government without letting any one person or group to powerful. The Constitution guards

against tyranny in four main ways: Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and

finally, by balancing out power between small states and large states.

Federalism is the first way the Constitution guards against tyranny. Federalist paper #51

James Madison states that “‘In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the

people is first divided between two distinct governments [states and federal]...”’(Doc. A). This

type of government guards against tyranny by preventing the central government from gaining

too much power because it gives the state’s power, too. For example, the states are able to hold

elections and establish schools, etc. The central government can declare war and print and coin

money, etc. States have the power to control inside the states and the central government is in

charge of anything internationally. In 1788, James Madison wrote Federalist paper #51 to

persuade citizens to ratify the Constitution explaining ”Hence a double security arises to the

rights of the people. “‘Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people.”’ Having a

double security government means the United States citizens by the states having certain power

and the country has other power. A states and federal government controlling each other prevents
 Ohanian 2
tyranny from happening. Although Federalism is one way to guard against tyranny Separation of

Powers is another way.

Separation of Powers is the second way the Constitution guards against tyranny. James

Madison wrote Federalist paper #47, “‘The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive

and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary,

self-appointed, or elective, may be justly pronounced the very definition of tyranny…”’(Doc B).

All of the powers are divided into three branches, which means that each branch can control the

other. For example, the Legislative branch can impeach the president. Together the three branch’s

powers consist of people who can control laws and protect citizens from tyranny. The three

branches can each control each other at least one way. Document B states, “‘...Liberty requires

that the three great departments of powers should be separate and distinct”’(Doc B). Basically,

the Legislative Branch should be the opposite of the Executive or Judicial Branch. Each branch

has a different job or role to play in this government to prevent tyranny. This may prevent

tyranny because if one group or person controls a branch the other two can stop that branch. In

conclusion, the separation of powers protects us from tyranny.

Checks and balances are another way to guard against tyranny. In Federalist Paper #51,

James Madison states, “‘...the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such

manner as that they may be a check on the other…[the three branches] should not be so far

separated as to have no constitutional control over each other”’(Doc. C). This basically means

other branch checks on each other to make sure they have all the same amount of power. They

check each other’s power by agreeing or disagreeing with other branches, Legislative

Branch(Congress) can check the executive branch(president) by impeaching the President and
 Ohanian 3
removing him or her from office. The three branches can check each other at all times. One

example that the Judicial branch controls the Legislative branch is “The court can declare laws

unconstitutional”(Doc C). Basically, no one person or group can control the government even if

they control one branch. By using checks and balances the Judicial branch can check the

Legislative branch by declaring a law unconstitutional. Using checks and balances in the

Constitution might help stop tyranny, states compromise is another.

States compromise is another way to guard against tyranny. In the Constitution of the

United States of America, 1787 it states “Representatives… shall be appointed…according

to…[population]...The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand.

For every thirty thousand people, one representative will be elected for that state. It guards

against tyranny by allowing a fair ratio of representatives between states with small populations,

as well as states with larger communities. Also, the Senate has states compromise which means

each will have two senators per state. On Article 1, Section 3, Senate in the Constitution says

“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by

the legislatures thereof for six years; and each senator shall have one vote”(Doc. D). Through the

Senate, there is a balanced representation because each state gets 2 votes. This guards against

tyranny by making every state have equal power. Small/large states compromise is the last way

to guard against tyranny.

Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Small/Large States Compromise

are the four key ways that the Constitution protects its citizens from a tyrannical regime. History

is filled with examples of people who rule with tyranny and ruin other people’s life. The framers

of the Constitution wanted to ensure happiness among the states and national government

ensuring the rights of a person and safeguarding the government.