Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The National Constitution Center, located steps from Independence Hall, was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988 and opened its doors on July 4, 2003.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to draft the Constitution | Between May 25 and September 17, 1787 |
| Time taken to get the Constitution approved | Approved by the Continental Congress in 1787, and ratified by 9 states by June 21, 1788 |
| Time taken to establish the National Constitution Center | Construction began on September 17, 2000, and it opened on July 4, 2003 |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
What You'll Learn
The Constitution was written and signed in 1787
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution, was written and signed in 1787. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The signing took place in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The Constitution was drafted during the Philadelphia Convention, now referred to as the Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
The Constitutional Convention was convened due to concerns about the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The delegates to the convention, chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states (Rhode Island did not send delegates), were initially tasked with amending the Articles of Confederation. However, they soon began considering more significant changes, including the proposal for a bicameral (two-house) Congress, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch.
The Constitution that emerged from the Convention was a charter of government that established a powerful central government, separated the powers of government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial), and set up a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch held too much power. It also bypassed the state legislatures in the ratification process, calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states was required to enact the new government. The Constitution was approved by the Continental Congress in 1787 and later ratified by the required number of states, becoming the supreme law of the land.
The Constitution has been celebrated as a revolutionary document, putting governance in the hands of the people and serving as an inspiration for democratic ideals worldwide. It has endured as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions, with its drafting and signing in 1787 marking a pivotal moment in the history of the United States.
Mayflower Compact: US Constitution's Founding Father
You may want to see also
The Constitutional Convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy, with the delegates agreeing to observe a strict rule of secrecy. This meant that "nothing spoken in the house [would] be printed or otherwise published or communicated".
The rule of secrecy had several benefits. Firstly, it allowed delegates the freedom to disagree and change their minds on important issues without the posturing and pandering to public opinion that often marks political debate. It also gave them the opportunity to return to discussions after a period of time and find ways to reach an agreement on divisive issues.
The delegates to the convention represented wildly different interests and views, and crafted compromises to create a powerful central government. They were tasked with revising the existing government but ended up creating a completely new one. Wary of centralized power and loyal to their states, they set up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government had too much power.
The Constitutional Convention was a significant event in American history, resulting in the creation of a new form of government that put governance in the hands of the people. The Constitution has become the primary text of America's civil religion, with Americans expressing their reverence for it and its role in shaping the country's democratic ideals.
The Length of the US Constitution
You may want to see also
The delegates came up with a new government
The drafting of the Constitution of the United States, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. Thirty-eight delegates, representing 12 of the 13 original states, signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but they came up with a completely new one. Wary of centralized power and loyal to their states, they created a powerful central government. The founding fathers crafted compromises, representing wildly different interests and views. The Constitution stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
The Constitution was a revolutionary document that put governance in the hands of the people. Its opening words, "We the People", represented a new thought: the idea that the people, and not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy. This phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style. The Constitution's six goals were listed in place of the names of the 13 states, an improvement on the original draft.
The delegates set the terms for ratifying the Constitution. They bypassed the state legislatures, reasoning that their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by nine of the 13 states was required to enact the new government. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, and the Confederation Congress established March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating the new government.
Omar's Oath: Upholding the US Constitution?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Federalists believed in a strong central government
The Constitution Center in Philadelphia, which houses the original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution, was built over a period of approximately two years, from 2001 to 2003. The Constitution, which was written and signed in 1787, is the fundamental framework of America's system of government.
The Federalists, who believed in a strong central government, were wary of the concentration of power in the states and loyal to their nation. They believed in a strong executive branch led by a president with broad powers. Alexander Hamilton, a key figure among the Federalists, played a significant role in convincing Congress to organise a Grand Convention of state delegates to revise the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had no enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money, leading to disputes among the states.
The Federalists supported a balanced system of government with checks and balances between the different branches. They favoured monetary policies that gave more power to the federal government and sought closer ties with Britain over France. The Federalist Party, led by figures such as Alexander Hamilton, favoured a strong central government with broad powers for the executive branch and the president. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to address the nation's challenges.
However, the Federalists' beliefs in a strong central government were opposed by the Anti-Federalists, who fought against the Constitution as it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had recently overthrown. The Federalists' suppression of free speech under the Alien and Sedition Acts and their preference for Britain over France further inflamed the opposition, leading to the rise of the Jeffersonian Republicans. Thomas Jefferson, the leader of the Republicans, was elected president in 1800, marking a shift in power away from the Federalists.
Lincoln's Document: Abridging or Protecting the Constitution?
You may want to see also
The Anti-Federalists fought against the Constitution
The U.S. Constitution, written and signed in 1787, is the fundamental framework of America's system of government. The Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787, and it was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates. It was an extraordinary achievement by the delegates, who were tasked with revising the existing government. However, the Anti-Federalists fought hard against the Constitution. Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, the Anti-Federalists were against the ratification of the Constitution. They believed that the Constitution would lead to a loss of individual liberties and an erosion of state sovereignty. They advocated for a more decentralized form of government with greater protections for individual rights and stronger state representation.
The Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution created a powerful central government that resembled a monarchy. They argued that the new Constitution consolidated too much power in the hands of Congress, at the expense of the states. They also believed that the liberties of the people were best protected when power resided in state governments, rather than a federal one. The Anti-Federalists also believed that the Constitution provided insufficient rights in the courts and would create an out-of-control judiciary. For example, there was no guarantee of juries in civil cases or that criminal case juries would be local.
The Anti-Federalists also opposed the lack of a Bill of Rights in the original draft of the Constitution. They believed that without a Bill of Rights, the federal government would become tyrannous. This argument was so successful that it eventually led to the passage of the Bill of Rights, which became the most important part of the Constitution for most Americans. The Bill of Rights is a list of 10 constitutional amendments that secure the basic rights and privileges of American citizens, including the right to free speech, the right to a speedy trial, and the right to due process under the law.
The Anti-Federalists published a series of articles and delivered numerous speeches against the ratification of the Constitution. These writings and speeches have come to be known collectively as The Anti-Federalist Papers. Although some Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry, eventually came out publicly against the Constitution, most advocated their position under pseudonyms. Despite their efforts, the Anti-Federalists failed to prevent the adoption of the Constitution. However, their influence helped lead to the passage of the Bill of Rights, and they played an important role in shaping the final form of the Constitution.
Civilians Bearing Arms: What Does the Constitution Really Say?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was drafted between May 25 and September 17, 1787, over a period of 115 days.
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, by the ninth state, New Hampshire, after a period of 643 days since its signing.
The US Constitution came into effect on March 4, 1789, after a period of 550 days since its ratification.
The US Constitution was first preserved in 1814, 27 years after its approval by the Continental Congress in 1787.
![Construction Construed, and Constitutions Vindicated [1820]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71R28HQJxOL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
