The Constitution--Balancing Competing Interests

Americans' experience with British rule and the Articles of Confederation gave rise to considerable apprehension about the placement of power in a new government. The Fouding Fathers attempted to allow those fears thourgh compromises that safeguarded the interests of competing groups. The following chart lists some of those fears. Identify the cause of each fear and how one or more provisions of the Constitution calmed that fear.

Fear.....................................................Source of Fear...........................Provision to calm the fear

1.Fear of large states

2.Fear of people

3.Fear of weak central government

4.Fear of unwritten word

5.Fear of other states

6.Fear of foreign powers

7.Fear of strong executive

8.Fear of losing individual rights.

9.Fear of central government