Malcolm Rivera
While the Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution did not want the document to be rewritten, they did intend for it to be amended over time. Of the 70 individuals collectively appointed by the original states to the Constitutional Convention, only 39 signed the Constitution. Notably, Thomas Jefferson, who did not sign the Constitution, believed that the Constitution should be revised every 19 to 20 years to adapt to changing circumstances. In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote, the earth belongs... to the living, and the dead have neither power nor rights over it, expressing his belief that each generation of Americans had the right to develop their own constitutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding Fathers' vision for the US | A republic, not a bureaucracy or democracy |
| Consensus on | Separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches |
| A system of checks and balances to prevent tyrannical rule | |
| No President would be an "elected king" | |
| Thomas Jefferson's vision | Constitution should be revised every 19 to 20 years |
| Succeeding generations of Americans had the right to develop their own constitutions | |
| The US Constitution could last perpetually if regularly amended to reflect new developments |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson's views on rewriting the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson was one of the few national leaders who believed that the people could have a greater say in the democratic process. He was of the view that the Constitution should not be regarded as sacred and unchangeable. In a letter dated September 6, 1789, he wrote, "No society can make a perpetual constitution, or even a perpetual law." He believed that each generation should be free to create its own constitution or laws, and that they should not be bound by the decisions of their predecessors.
Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his broader principles of a weak national government and strong personal liberties. He wanted the Constitution to be accompanied by a written "bill of rights" to guarantee freedoms such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom from standing armies, trial by jury, and habeas corpus. He also supported a stronger federal government, recognising that it would make the country more secure economically and militarily.
Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison helped convince the latter to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress. After ratification by the requisite number of states, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, came into effect in 1791.
In terms of specific changes that Jefferson might have wanted to see in the Constitution, one can only speculate. However, given his views on the importance of personal liberties, it is likely that he would have wanted to see protections for individual rights strengthened. He might also have wanted to address issues such as the Three-Fifths Clause, which reinforced and protected slavery by giving extra weight to states where slavery was legal.
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The Founding Fathers' vision for the US
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America envisioned the country as a republic, not a bureaucracy or a direct democracy. They wanted a system of checks and balances to prevent tyrannical rule, with a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Founding Fathers wanted to ensure that the country would not be ruled by an all-powerful king, a principle that was foundational to the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed in the Constitution.
While the Founding Fathers may have disagreed on many issues, they all agreed that a President should not be an "elected king". This "American solution" was described by Richard Hurowitz as "an executive strong enough to be effective but checked enough to prevent tyranny". Alexander Hamilton, for example, argued in favour of a single executive rather than a group of people, which he believed would risk the "danger of difference of opinion".
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers, believed that the constitution should be changed every 19 to 20 years to adapt to new developments in science and society. In an 1816 letter to Virginia lawyer Samuel Kercheval, Jefferson argued that a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances instead of being ruled by the past. He also wrote about the importance of regular political change in a letter to James Madison in 1787, stating that "the earth belongs...to the living" and "the dead have neither power nor rights over it".
However, not all of the Founding Fathers agreed with Jefferson's ideas. James Madison, for example, disagreed with Jefferson's proposal, arguing that "improvement made by the dead...form a debt against the living who take the benefit of them". Despite their differences, the Founding Fathers' vision for the US was one of a country with a strong executive, checked by a system of separation of powers, and a constitution that could be amended to reflect new developments.
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The role of the President
The Founding Fathers of the United States were the upper echelon of political leadership in the British colonies during the latter half of the 18th century. They were leaders in their communities and respective colonies, willing to assume responsibility for public affairs. The list of Founding Fathers includes George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. These men were the first five presidents of the United States, with Washington, Adams, and Jefferson serving as vice presidents before becoming president.
The Founding Fathers played a crucial role in drafting and signing the U.S. Constitution, which established the three branches of the U.S. government and outlined the rights of American citizens. They sought to create a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the accumulation of power by any one branch or individual.
The Founding Fathers recognized the need for a strong central government but also wanted to limit the influence of the voting public, particularly through their control over state governments. They believed that state governments were too responsive to public opinion through direct elections, annual elections, small legislative districts, and weak executives without veto power. To address this, they included provisions in the Constitution that prohibited states from issuing currency or providing debt relief and gave Congress the power to quell tax rebellions.
One of the most significant roles of the President of the United States, as outlined by the Constitution, is to serve as the leader of the executive branch of the government. The President is responsible for executing and enforcing the laws of the land, as well as appointing federal judges and other executive branch officials. The President also has the power to nominate Supreme Court justices, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
While the Founding Fathers recognized the importance of a strong executive, they also wanted to limit populist power. They designed a system where the President is not directly elected by the people but rather by a body of electors chosen by the states, known as the Electoral College. This system aimed to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals and to ensure that the President represents the interests of the states.
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The separation of powers
The Founding Fathers of the United States envisioned the country as a republic, with a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This system of checks and balances was designed to prevent tyrannical rule and ensure that the country would not be ruled by an all-powerful king or executive branch leader. The Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, believed that the constitution should be adaptable to changing circumstances and new developments in science and society.
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers, played a significant role in shaping the early American political system. He advocated for a constitution that could adapt to the needs of each generation. In an 1816 letter to Virginia lawyer Samuel Kercheval, Jefferson proposed that the constitution be revised every 19 to 20 years. He believed that a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to reflect changing circumstances, stating that "the earth belongs... to the living, and... the dead have neither power nor rights over it."
Jefferson's ideas on constitutional change were influenced by his belief in periodic political change. He argued that a constitution should change every 19 to 20 years based on the era's mortality rate. He also mentioned Shays' Rebellion, an armed protest in Massachusetts, as a reason to support regular constitutional change. However, Jefferson did not advocate for violent conflict as a necessary means of change.
While Jefferson's ideas on constitutional change were not universally accepted, they have had a lasting impact on American political thought. James Madison, another Founding Father, disagreed with Jefferson's proposal, arguing that improvements made by previous generations should benefit those in the present. Despite their differences, both Jefferson and Madison recognized the importance of adapting the constitution to the needs of a changing society.
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The right to develop new constitutions
Thomas Jefferson, one of the most prominent Founding Fathers, believed that constitutions should be revised periodically, ideally every 19 to 20 years. He argued that a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances instead of being bound by the past. In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson famously wrote, "the earth belongs... to the living, and... the dead have neither power nor rights over it."
Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his experiences as the country's ambassador to France, where he witnessed Shays' Rebellion, an armed protest in Massachusetts. He believed that regular amendments were necessary to reflect new developments in science and society, ensuring the Constitution's longevity. However, he did not participate in drafting the US Constitution and his ideas on periodic revisions were not universally accepted.
James Madison, another key figure, disagreed with Jefferson's stance on constitutions being rewritten every generation. Madison argued that improvements made by previous generations formed a debt that the living should honour. This debate between Jefferson and Madison about the earth belonging "to the living" has sparked discussions about how American history might have unfolded had Jefferson's ideas prevailed.
In conclusion, the right to develop new constitutions was a topic of discussion among the Founding Fathers, with varying opinions. While Jefferson advocated for regular revisions to adapt to changing times, Madison emphasised the importance of building upon the foundations laid by past generations. The US Constitution, as a living document, continues to evolve through amendments, reflecting the understanding that governments need to adapt to remain effective and relevant.
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Frequently asked questions
The Founding Fathers disagreed on many issues, but they all agreed that the U.S. should not be ruled by an all-powerful king. They envisioned the country as a republic, with a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyrannical rule. While some of the Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, believed that the Constitution should be regularly amended or rewritten to reflect new developments, others like James Madison disagreed.
Thomas Jefferson proposed that the Constitution should be revised every 19 to 20 years to adapt to changing circumstances and the needs of new generations. He expressed these ideas in letters written in 1787 and 1816, and in a letter shortly before his death in 1824, he stated that the Constitution could last perpetually if regularly amended.
Jefferson's proposed timeframe was based on the era's mortality rate. He reasoned that since most adults would likely be dead in 19 years, each new generation should have the right to adapt the government to their needs instead of being ruled by the past.
James Madison disagreed with Jefferson, arguing that "improvement made by the dead ... form a debt against the living who take the benefit of them." He believed that the changes and improvements made by previous generations should be carried forward and built upon, rather than starting from scratch with each new generation.
