Omar Bennett
The Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution were among the wealthiest people in the colonies when they drafted and signed the document. They had differing beliefs about what the future of the United States should look like, but they ultimately created a framework for a system of government that has lasted over 200 years. However, some, like Thomas Jefferson, believed that the Constitution should expire every 19 years and be rewritten. While the Founding Fathers may not have envisioned the democracy of today, their aim of reserving a prominent place in government for the rich has been realized, and the Constitution remains a living document that can be amended.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Concern about the Articles of Confederation | The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn’t regulate commerce, or print money |
| Secrecy | The Founding Fathers kept the Constitutional Convention in 1787 secret to prevent outside influence and improper influence from those loyal to England |
| Wealth of Founding Fathers | The Founding Fathers were among the wealthiest people in the colonies and expected wealth and education to be a requirement for voting |
| View of participation | The Founding Fathers believed that too many people were participating in politics and wanted to limit the participation of the common people, the poor, and the uneducated |
| Amendments | The Founding Fathers included a process for changing or amending the Constitution |
| Thomas Jefferson's view | Thomas Jefferson believed the Constitution should expire every 19 years and be rewritten |
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What You'll Learn
- Thomas Jefferson believed the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 years
- The Founding Fathers kept the Constitutional Convention in 1787 a secret
- The Founding Fathers were among the wealthiest people in the colonies
- The Founding Fathers bypassed state legislatures when setting terms for ratifying the Constitution
- The Founding Fathers were concerned about the Articles of Confederation
Thomas Jefferson believed the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 years
The Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution, including Thomas Jefferson, did not intend for American democracy to be a direct democracy. They believed that the vote ought to be reserved for people of wealth and education, while the common people, the poor and uneducated, were expected to participate indirectly through local government and town halls.
Thomas Jefferson, the third US president, believed that the Constitution should be rewritten every nineteen or twenty years. He declared to his closest friend, James Madison:
> We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors... The earth belongs to the living generation.
Jefferson's belief in periodic constitutional revision stemmed from his understanding that a dynamic society requires a constitution that keeps pace with the progress of the human mind. He argued that laws and institutions must evolve alongside societal changes to avoid being constrained by an outdated social contract.
Jefferson's views on the Constitution's longevity reflect his recognition of the need for a flexible and adaptable framework that can accommodate the evolving nature of society. His suggestion to rewrite the Constitution every nineteen or twenty years highlights his commitment to ensuring that the governing document remains relevant and responsive to the needs and perspectives of each new generation.
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The Founding Fathers kept the Constitutional Convention in 1787 a secret
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, which produced the first written constitution for any nation in the history of the world, was initially kept a secret by the Founding Fathers. Fifty-five delegates, including some of the wealthiest people in the colonies, met in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787, to draft the four parchment pages of the original Constitution.
The Founding Fathers, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, had become concerned that their young country was on the brink of collapse due to financial crises, disorder, and states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. They feared that the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but no enforcement powers, were inadequate.
To address these concerns, the delegates met in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House (later known as Independence Hall) and shuttered the windows, swearing secrecy so they could speak freely. They debated fiercely over issues such as congressional representation, slavery, and the role of the central government. The Founding Fathers had differing beliefs and opinions about the future of the United States, but they worked together and indulged the views of their colleagues to create a framework for a system of government that has lasted for more than 200 years.
The delegates' deliberations resulted in a completely new form of government, with a powerful central government and a compromise on congressional representation, giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House and two in the Senate. They also agreed to a temporary resolution on slavery, allowing the slave trade to continue until 1808. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing for the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures.
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The Founding Fathers were among the wealthiest people in the colonies
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. They were among the wealthiest people in the colonies when they drafted and signed the Constitution.
Many of the Founding Fathers were wealthy slave owners, and some were rich in land. George Washington, the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States, was a Virginia planter and a colonel in the Virginia Regiment before becoming commander-in-chief of Continental forces during the eight-year-long struggle for independence. He lost half his wealth during the war, largely due to neglecting his farms. Robert Morris, considered the financier of the Revolution, donated ships from his fleet of tobacco-trading vessels. John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, was probably the richest merchant in New England. Benjamin Franklin was a successful printer and publisher, and James Madison, called the "Father of the Constitution", was born into wealth.
The Founding Fathers expected the young nation to be guided by people of wealth and education, while the common people, the poor and uneducated, were expected to participate indirectly through local government and protest actions. They believed that state legislatures were becoming too radical and beholden to the interests of the common man. They wrote constraints into the Constitution to limit the participation of the "ignorant" and poor.
Despite their differing beliefs and opinions, the Founding Fathers worked together to write the framework for a system of government that has lasted over 200 years.
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The Founding Fathers bypassed state legislatures when setting terms for ratifying the Constitution
The founding fathers of the United States of America, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, played a pivotal role in shaping the country's future by drafting and signing the Constitution. However, their vision for the nation differed significantly from the democracy we see today. The founding fathers, who were among the wealthiest people in the colonies, intended for the country to be guided by people of wealth and education, with limited direct participation from the common people.
In setting the terms for ratifying the Constitution, the founding fathers deliberately bypassed the state legislatures. They believed that the members of these legislatures would be reluctant to cede power to a national government. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state, a strategy that proved successful as ratification by 9 of the 13 states was required to enact the new government. This move reflected their concern about the increasing power of the states and their desire to accommodate the interests of the wealthy and educated.
The founding fathers' decision to bypass the state legislatures was influenced by their dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but lacked enforcement capabilities and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The disputes among the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young nation apart. By bypassing the state legislatures, the founding fathers aimed to establish a stronger central government that could address these challenges effectively.
The ratification process for the Constitution was not without opposition. The Anti-Federalists strongly opposed the creation of a powerful central government, reminiscent of the one they had overthrown. They also criticized the lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution. On the other hand, the Federalists, who believed in the necessity of a strong central government, needed to convert at least three states to secure ratification. The tide turned in their favor in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory and eventually tipped the balance in the final holdout states.
The founding fathers' decision to bypass state legislatures when setting the terms for ratifying the Constitution was a strategic move driven by their concerns about state power and their vision for a strong central government. This move set the stage for the establishment of the federal government and the United States Constitution, which has served as the foundation of the country's government since 1789.
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The Founding Fathers were concerned about the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, which served as the United States' first constitution, was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and came into force on March 1, 1781. The Founding Fathers, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, were concerned about the Articles of Confederation, fearing that their young nation was on the brink of collapse. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the authority to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, and the power to print money.
The central government was unable to address pressing issues such as economic instability and internal conflicts, including Shays' Rebellion in 1786. It also lacked the power to impose taxes, creating difficulties in regulating interstate commerce and enforcing laws. The Founding Fathers recognized that the Articles of Confederation had resulted in a government that was too weak to function effectively, with insufficient authority to address the challenges facing the nation. They believed that the Articles did not grant enough power to the central government, and that a stronger national government was needed to prevent chaos and ensure stability.
Additionally, disputes among the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart. The Founding Fathers also faced challenges in revising the Articles due to their complexity and the requirement of unanimous consent from all thirteen states for any amendments. As a result, they decided to draft a new Constitution, completely redesigning the government to establish a stronger national government with the power to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce laws.
The Founding Fathers' concerns about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led them to convene at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, marking a significant step toward strengthening the federal government and addressing the critical issues facing the young nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Founding Fathers did not expect the Constitution to last forever. In fact, Thomas Jefferson once argued that the Constitution should expire every 19 years and be rewritten. However, they did write in a process for changing or amending the Constitution, which suggests they anticipated the need for future changes.
The Founding Fathers wanted to limit the participation of the common people in the political process. They believed that the vote should be reserved for people of wealth and education, and they wanted to prevent populism and mob rule. They also wanted to create a strong central government, but one that was weaker than the monarchy they had just overthrown.
The Founding Fathers had differing beliefs and opinions about what the future of the United States should look like. However, they worked together and indulged the views of their colleagues to create a framework for a system of government that has lasted over 200 years.
