Among the framers' concerns, which of the following was related to preventing majority tyranny?

Prepare for the California US Constitution Exam with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and confidence to excel in your teaching career!

Creating checks and balances was a fundamental principle among the framers of the U.S. Constitution, aimed specifically at preventing majority tyranny. The framers were deeply concerned that a pure democracy, in which decisions are made solely by majority vote, could lead to the oppression of minority groups and individual rights. They sought to establish a system where power was divided among different branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—ensuring that no single branch could dominate.

This separation of powers, along with a system of checks and balances, allows each branch to limit the powers of the others, making it difficult for any majority, even a sizable one, to overreach its authority or infringe on the rights of minorities. By creating this structured interdependence, the framers aimed to protect the interests of all citizens and maintain a balanced government that respects individual rights above transient popular whims. This concern was a response to their own experiences with tyranny and oppression, which underscored the importance of safeguarding against the potential for majority groups to impose their will on others.

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