Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1788, establishing a stronger national government than the Articles of Confederation, which had previously governed the newly independent nation. The Constitution was shaped by historical events and reflected the fundamental values and principles of the United States as a newly independent nation. The Preamble to the Constitution outlines the purpose of the document, stating the intention to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. The process of amending the Constitution has been central to the development of the nation, with 27 amendments having been made since its ratification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Provides a framework for the US government | The US Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, establishing a stronger national government. |
| Protects independence | The Constitution safeguards the independence of member states while also addressing the need for a federal chief executive and a judicial system. |
| Reflects fundamental values | The Constitution reflects the core values and principles of a newly independent nation, shaping its systems of government. |
| Allows for amendments | The Constitution has a built-in amendment process, allowing for the expansion of rights, fixing procedural issues, and adapting to societal changes. |
| Enables checks and balances | The Constitution's system of checks and balances helps maintain a balance of power across three branches of government. |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution's Preamble
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States is a concise outline of the intentions and aims of the document, and by extension, the nation. The Preamble is a statement of the core values and principles of the newly independent nation, and it reads:
> "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The phrase "a more perfect Union" is an important concept in the Preamble, and it reflects the desire to create a stronger and more cohesive nation out of the original thirteen independent states. The Continental Congress of 1774–1789 was the first attempt at a unified government, but it lacked the power to enforce its authority over the states. The Articles of Confederation, written in 1781, provided a loose confederation of independent states, but it soon became clear that a stronger central government was needed. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 proposed a new constitution with a much stronger national government, which, after a period of resistance, was eventually ratified by the required number of states.
The creation of the Constitution was a response to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which did not provide for a federal chief executive or a judicial system. The Preamble's reference to "a more perfect Union" can be understood in this context: the founding fathers wanted to create a stronger, more effective union of the states while still protecting their independence.
The phrase "a more perfect Union" has been interpreted as a recognition that the union was a work in progress and that the Constitution could be amended and improved over time. This has indeed been the case, with 27 amendments made to the Constitution since its ratification in 1788. Amending the Constitution has been a difficult but important process in the development of the nation, allowing for the expansion of rights and democracy, and the fixing of procedural deficiencies.
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The Articles of Confederation
However, the Articles of Confederation had limitations that hindered its effectiveness as a governing document. The central government had limited powers in areas such as assembling delegates, raising funds, and regulating commerce. The government's weaknesses became apparent, and many Americans felt the need for a more powerful central authority. The Articles also did not describe the powers of a federal chief executive or a judicial system, prompting calls for a stronger national government.
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The Continental Congress
Despite the Congress's efforts to improve its effectiveness, many Americans felt that a more powerful central authority was needed. The Articles of Confederation were too weak to enforce congressional mandates on the states. As a result, leading statesmen called for a special convention in 1786 to revise the Articles—this became known as the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 proposed a new constitution that established a much stronger national government. This controversial new constitution was eventually ratified by the required number of states, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the framework for the United States government.
The creation of the Constitution and the present form of the US government was informed by the considerations that arose during the years of the Continental Congress and the Confederation. The Preamble to the Constitution reflects the fundamental values and principles of a newly independent nation, stating:
> "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
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The Constitutional Convention
The Continental Congress (1774-1789) was the first coordinated effort by the colonies to resist the British and manage the struggle for independence. However, by the mid-1780s, it became clear that a stronger form of government was needed to effectively govern the newly independent states. Leading statesmen called for a special convention to revise the Articles, resulting in the Constitutional Convention.
The convention proposed a controversial new constitution that provoked resistance from many quarters. However, it was eventually ratified by the necessary number of states, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the framework of the US government. This new constitution established a stronger national government and provided a framework for the present form of government that we recognize today, with the election of George Washington as the first President in 1789.
The process of amending the US Constitution has been central to the creation and development of the North American democratic project. Since its ratification in 1788, there have been twenty-seven amendments, reflecting evolving understandings of humanity and expanding rights and democracy. The Preamble to the Constitution, which begins with "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union...", encapsulates the fundamental values and principles of a newly independent nation.
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Checks and balances
The US Constitution's system of checks and balances is a key mechanism by which a more perfect union is created and maintained. This system ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful, protecting against tyranny and promoting democratic principles.
The three branches of the US federal government—the executive, legislative, and judicial—are each given specific powers and responsibilities, which also serve as checks on the powers of the other branches. This system of separation of powers is a crucial feature of the US Constitution and is designed to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.
The executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for executing and enforcing the laws of the nation. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and has the power to appoint federal judges and other officials, with the Senate's approval. The executive branch's power to enforce laws and command the military is checked by the legislative branch's power to create laws and the judicial branch's power to interpret them.
The legislative branch, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for creating and passing laws. This branch's power to make laws is checked by the executive branch's power to veto legislation and the judicial branch's power to declare laws unconstitutional. The legislative branch also has the power to impeach and remove officials from the other branches, including the President, Vice President, and federal judges.
The judicial branch interprets the laws and determines their constitutionality. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has the final say on interpreting the Constitution. The judicial branch's power is checked by the executive branch's power to appoint judges and the legislative branch's power to confirm them, as well as the legislative branch's ability to impeach and remove federal judges.
By dividing powers and responsibilities in this way, the US Constitution creates a system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful and protects the rights and liberties of the people. This system has been a cornerstone of the US government since its inception and continues to shape the country's political landscape today.
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Frequently asked questions
When the American colonies declared their independence from Britain, they had a flag and an army, but no government. The Articles of Confederation, written in 1781, united the states as a loose confederation, but it was clear by 1787 that a stronger central authority was needed.
The Constitution of 1787 established a much stronger national government, addressing issues such as the powers of a federal chief executive and a judicial system, which had been lacking under the Articles of Confederation.
The Preamble to the Constitution, which begins with "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union...", reflects the fundamental values and principles of a newly independent nation. It expresses the intentions of the founding document, including the desire to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty.
The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification in 1788. Amendments have expanded rights and democracy, fixed procedural deficiencies, and even overturned Supreme Court precedent. While amending the Constitution in the current political climate may seem challenging, it has been achieved in the past during times of both nationwide consensus and political polarization.
