Explain what the Framers meant by securing the blessings of ...

[Jkov05]

Explain what the Framers meant by securing the blessings of liberty, and discuss how far a government should go to ensure citizens' liberty.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How have Americans' expectations of their government changed over time?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[juwms]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain that the Framers used the term securing the blessings of liberty to refer to the freedom to criticize the government or petition it when they disagreed with its policies.
2. Discuss that American political culture and the basic tenets of American democracy suggest that government should go a long way in securing the blessings of liberty. The Framers were very concerned with personal liberty and political equality. They were also concerned with popular consent, majority rule, popular sovereignty, notions of individualism, and religious freedom.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Review that in the first 150 years of our nation's history the federal government had fewer functions, which were limited to national defense, printing money, and collecting taxes and tariffs.
2. Note that as the country expanded economically and in size, greater demands were placed on the government. The government began to play a role in things like regulating business activity, assisting the poor, and inspecting food.
3. Discuss how Americans are suspicious of government and also frustrated with it.