Americans in the late eighteenth century believed that government must be kept weak in order to prevent the rise of tyranny and to guarantee the rights of the people. Describe how the governments under both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution embodied these beliefs. Finally, who derives the most benefit from the Constitution? Can we point to this document and really claim that it truly benefits everyone? How do you feel that the Constitution is most relevant to Americans today? Should it be interpreted as a set of unchanging laws written in the 18th century or as a "living and breathing" document that can be used as the nation evolves and changes? In this regard, how should we interpret the 2nd Amendment in light of the debate on guns in America today? Make sure that you draw on sources other than your text (such as the additional web readings) in order to think critically about these questions.