Write A 1000-Word Essay: Instructions You Must Follow

Instructionsyou Must Write An Esssay 1000 Words Minimum In Which Yo

Identify and discuss the basic ideals and principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government. Those ideals and principles are discussed in the first and second chapters of your textbook. You can also visit the following websites to read the original document in which these fundamental values were first stated and how they were later incorporated in the American Constitution: The Declaration of Independence: The Constitution of the United States: Identify the most important Supreme Court cases and executive actions and their impact on law and on our society.

The history of the United States has been marked by the progressive expansion of voting rights and the protection of its citizens through legislation and Supreme Court decisions. At the same time, executive orders, particularly in periods of crisis led to the violation of individual rights. Throughout this module these issues are covered. In chapters 3 and 4 you will find the information you need to answer this question. You are also encouraged to visit the following websites for further details.

Supreme Court Landmarks - 15 Supreme Court Cases that Changed America - Executive Orders - The American Presidency Project NAACP was instrumental in the landmark case of Brown v Board of Education. Visit the web site to find information on the case that led to desegregation. Instructions on Writing Your Esssay: All esssays must be written using proper English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Points will be deducted for grammatical, punctuation, syntax, capitalization, etc. errors. Esssays are automatically submitted to SafeAssign. Work that SafeAssign identifies as having more than a 10% rate of similarity (plariarism) after quoted material and small matches (10 words or less) are excluded will not be read and will received a grade of 0.

Paper For Above instruction

The foundational principles of American democracy are rooted in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. These documents articulate the core values of liberty, equality, justice, and the rule of law that underpin the American political system. In this paper, I will explore these fundamental ideals, how they are embedded in the framework of the U.S. government, and examine key Supreme Court cases and executive actions that have shaped American law and society over time.

American democracy is fundamentally built on the principles of popular sovereignty, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. The Declaration of Independence, drafted in 1776, proclaims the inalienable rights of individuals—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—and the right of the people to dissolve unjust governments (Jefferson et al., 1776). These ideals emphasize that government legitimacy derives from the consent of the governed, establishing the foundation for a government that serves its citizens rather than oppresses them.

The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, concretizes these ideological principles into a system of governance designed to safeguard individual rights and prevent tyranny. It incorporates the Enlightenment ideas of liberty and reason, establishing a government based on the rule of law, with a separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches (Madison, 1787). This structure aims to ensure that no single branch can dominate others, thereby protecting individual freedoms and maintaining democratic accountability.

The Bill of Rights, added in 1791, explicitly guarantees freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly, and protections against self-incrimination and unlawful searches and seizures. Collectively, these provisions reflect the core ideals of individual autonomy, equality, and the pursuit of justice. Over time, subsequent amendments and legislation have expanded these rights, notably in the area of voting rights and civil rights, reflecting the evolving understanding of American democratic values (Klarman, 2004).

Supreme Court cases have played a pivotal role in interpreting and expanding these fundamental principles. For example, the landmark 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, emphasizing the principle of equality under the law (Oyez, 1954). This decision was a significant step toward ending institutionalized segregation and promoting civil rights, rooted in the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Similarly, the case of Roe v. Wade (1973) reflected the constitutional right to privacy, balancing individual autonomy with state interests. These rulings demonstrate the judiciary’s role in safeguarding the core democratic ideals of equality and personal freedom. On the other hand, executive orders have sometimes challenged these principles, especially during national crises. For example, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 (1942) authorized the internment of Japanese Americans, violating their civil liberties based on wartime fears (U.S. National Archives, 1942). This exemplifies how executive actions can conflict with essential democratic values and civil rights during emergencies.

Throughout American history, the expansion of voting rights has been a critical aspect of democratic development. The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited racial discrimination in voting, but many states employed literacy tests and poll taxes to disenfranchise minorities until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided federal protections (Grofman & Berman, 2003). These legislative and judicial efforts underscore the ongoing process of aligning democratic practices with the core ideals of equality and participation.

The Civil Rights Movement further exemplifies this progression. The NAACP played a vital role in challenging segregation and discrimination through legal strategies, culminating in landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education. This case not only abolished segregated schooling but also reinforced the principle that equal protection under the law is fundamental to the legitimacy of American democracy (Klarman, 2004).

In conclusion, the fundamental values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—liberty, equality, justice, and rule of law—continue to shape American democracy. These ideals are manifested through the system of government designed to protect individual rights, contain government power, and promote the general welfare. Supreme Court decisions and executive actions have critically influenced the application and interpretation of these principles, either advancing or challenging democratic ideals in various historical contexts. The ongoing effort to expand voting rights and protect civil liberties underscores the dynamic and resilient nature of American democracy, committed to realizing its foundational ideals for all citizens.

References

• Grofman, B., & Berman, C. (2003). The Voting Rights Act and minority voting rights. Annual Review of Political Science, 6, 387-406.
• Jefferson, T., Adams, J., Franklin, B., & others. (1776). The Declaration of Independence.
• Klarman, M. J. (2004). From Brown v. Board of Education to Brown v. Board: The legal and social evolution of racial equality in America. Harvard Law Review, 117(8), 2355-2459.
• Madison, J. (1787). The Federalist Papers, No. 51.
• Oyez. (1954). Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/347us483
• U.S. National Archives. (1942). Executive Order 9066. https://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/?dod-date=0221
• U.S. Constitution. (1787). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution
• U.S. Declaration of Independence. (1776). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
• The American Presidency Project. (n.d.). Executive Orders. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/orders
• Reich, S. M. (2010). The Civil Rights Movement: A documentary history. Smithsonian Institution Press.