Final answer:
The framers of the constitution included a list of prohibited actions to prevent abuses of power based on past unjust experiences and to maintain a system of checks and balances. These actions aimed to protect the liberties of citizens, and this was inspired by the desires expressed by state governments for further restrictive clauses. The prohibited powers thus help ensure that governmental powers are balanced and not misused.
Step-by-step explanation:
The framers were motivated to include a list of prohibited powers, or actions that Congress may not perform, in the U.S Constitution based on historical experiences with abuses of power. The Constitution, through Article I, Section 9, limits the power of Congress to ensure protection of citizens' liberties. Such actions include the prohibition of bills of attainder, the passing of ex post facto laws, and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, all of which can potentially abuse individual rights.
These restrictions were largely influenced by the founders' experiences of power abuses by British kings, parliaments, and royal governors. Furthermore, the framers had the intention to create a balanced government system with checks and balances, which would prevent any branch, including Congress, from having absolute authority. The prohibition of certain actions by Congress is meant to prevent potential abuse of power and maintain the system of checks and balances. This is also to maintain public confidence in the Government, ensuring proper execution of its powers and prevention of any misuse or misconstruction.
Moreover, state governments' expressed desire for further restrictive clauses inspired the creation of the Bill of Rights that expanded these constitutional restrictions, reinforcing the prohibition of governmental encroachments on personal freedoms. So, the inclusion of prohibitive powers in the constitution reflects the framers' endeavor to build a balanced governmental structure where legislative powers are not concentrated or misused.
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