Patrick Henry is expressing the concern that a president has been given too much power.
"This Constitution is said to have beautiful features, but . . . they appear to me horribly frightful. . . . Your President may become king . . . If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute!"
—Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Convention, June 1788
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
What concern about the Constitution is Patrick Henry expressing?
(1 point)
Responses
that a president would need to be ambitious to be successful in office
that the Constitution has established a monarchy
that a president has been given too much power
that the Constitution establishes a weak central government
7 answers
Patrick Henry's quote reflects his fear that the structure of the Constitution could allow for an expansion of presidential power to the point where a president might become "absolute" or akin to a king. He warns that if the president is ambitious and capable, they could manipulate their position to create a monarchy-like situation. This concern indicates that he believed the powers granted to the president in the Constitution were too broad and could lead to tyranny or authoritarian rule, undermining the principles of a republic. Hence, the key takeaway is that his primary concern is the potential for excessive presidential power.
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