Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution, which came into effect in 1788, has been amended 27 times since its ratification. However, little is known about the different versions of the document that were presented to the public during its adoption. For instance, German- and Dutch-language translations of the Constitution were distributed to residents of Pennsylvania and New York, differing from the official English version and from each other. These translations provide insight into how the Constitution was interpreted for non-English speakers and offer alternative perspectives on key concepts and clauses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Number of different versions | At least 3 (including English, German, and Dutch) |
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What You'll Learn
German and Dutch translations of the US Constitution
The US Constitution has been translated into several languages, including German and Dutch. These translations were created to cater to the German- and Dutch-speaking populations of Pennsylvania and New York. Interestingly, some residents of these states were given versions of the Constitution that differed from the one approved in Philadelphia in 1787.
The German and Dutch translations of the US Constitution provide valuable insights into the original public meaning and understanding of the document by speakers of these languages. For instance, the German translation uses a broader definition of "commerce" in Article 1, Section 8, indicating "the larger scope of actions and interactions of persons involved in business." In contrast, the Dutch translation defines commerce as activities among merchants.
The translations also differ in their interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause in Article 1, which directs Congress to make laws for the country's good. A strict interpretation of the German and Dutch translations of this clause would suggest that it restricts Congress's power to establish commerce where it did not previously exist. This interpretation could have had interesting implications for the 2012 Supreme Court decision over the Affordable Care Act.
Furthermore, the German and Dutch translations differ in their understanding of certain legal terms. For example, the German translation refers to amendments to the Constitution as "improvements," while the Dutch translation considers felonies as "crimes worthy of death." The German translation also uses the word "interrogation" instead of "trial," and the Dutch translation explains the term "felony" in a footnote, indicating that it refers to serious crimes.
While the early Dutch and German translations of the US Constitution are not official documents of American governing principles, they offer a unique perspective on how the Constitution was presented to and understood by German and Dutch speakers during the founding era. These translations continue to provide valuable insights into the original intent and meaning of the Constitution.
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Amendments to the Constitution
The US Constitution has had 27 amendments, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments, which were ratified on December 15, 1791. The last amendment was made in 1933, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and prohibited alcohol.
There have been approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution introduced in Congress since 1789. Members of the House and Senate propose around 200 amendments during each two-year term of Congress. However, most of these proposals die in congressional committees. Since 1999, only about 20 proposed amendments have received a vote by either the full House or Senate.
The process of amending the Constitution involves proposing an amendment and then ratifying it. Amendments can be proposed by Congress or by a national convention called by Congress at the request of the states. Ratification requires the approval of three-fourths of the states, either through state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
Interestingly, there were German- and Dutch-language printed versions of the Constitution that were provided to residents of Pennsylvania and New York. These translations offered different interpretations of certain clauses, such as the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause. For example, the German translation of the Commerce Clause includes a broader definition of "commerce", and the Dutch version considers felonies to be "crimes worthy of death," while the German translation considers them serious crimes.
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The Impeachment Clause
The United States Constitution, proposed in 1787, has profoundly changed America. However, some residents of Pennsylvania and New York were given versions of the Constitution that differed from the one approved in Philadelphia. These versions were in German and Dutch languages.
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment and can impeach a party with a simple majority of the House members present. This triggers a federal impeachment trial in the United States Senate, which can vote by a two-thirds majority to convict an official, removing them from office. The Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments and can also bar an individual convicted in a senate impeachment trial from holding future federal office with a simple-majority vote. The President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside, and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
The meaning of the phrase "high crimes and misdemeanors" has been a subject of controversy. The line between general unfitness and abuse of office can be blurry, and the phrase is unique to the impeachment context. The Clause seems to rule out the possibility of Congress impeaching and removing officials simply for incompetence or general unfitness for office. Impeachments are a remedy for abuses of public office.
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The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution is a foundational document that profoundly changed America. It was proposed by the Founding Fathers in 1787 and ratified in 1788. However, some residents of Pennsylvania and New York were given versions of the Constitution that differed from the one approved in Philadelphia. These versions were printed in German and Dutch and offered unique translations and interpretations of key concepts, such as the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause.
The first eight amendments in the Bill of Rights outline specific guarantees of personal freedoms and legal rights. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. The Second Amendment ensures the right to keep and bear arms, while the Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent. The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' privacy and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants based on probable cause.
The Fifth Amendment, translated as "painful case" in the German version of the Bill of Rights, protects citizens' rights during criminal proceedings. The Sixth Amendment grants accused individuals the right to a speedy trial and the assistance of counsel. The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in certain civil cases, while the Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.
In addition to these amendments, the Ninth and Tenth Amendments further emphasize the limitations of federal power. The Ninth Amendment states that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other rights retained by the people. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution to the states or the people.
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Discrepancies in printed and handwritten versions
The US Constitution has undergone several iterations, with discrepancies arising in both printed and handwritten versions. The final draft, presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, included seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. This draft was then sent for printing, with 500 copies of the third and final draft ordered for printing on September 15, to be dated September 17, when the Convention's proceedings were to be signed.
While the printed and engrossed versions were identical apart from interlineations, discrepancies emerged in the German and Dutch translations provided to residents of Pennsylvania and New York. These translations, originally printed in 1787 and 1788, offered unique interpretations of specific clauses. For instance, the German translation of the Commerce Clause in Article 1, Section 8, defined "commerce" more broadly, encompassing the interactions of persons involved in business. In contrast, the Dutch version narrowly defined it as activities among merchants.
The German and Dutch translations also differed in their interpretations of other clauses. The German translation referred to amendments as "improvements," while the Dutch version considered felonies as "crimes worthy of death," differing from the German understanding of felonies as serious crimes. The term "high crimes and misdemeanors" in the Impeachment Clause was also translated differently, with "misdemeanors" rendered as "misconduct" or "misdeeds" in Dutch and German, respectively.
Furthermore, the handwritten versions of the Constitution also exhibited discrepancies. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four handwritten amendments to the final document and signed it to authenticate its validity. These amendments underscore the dynamic nature of the Constitution, which has continued to evolve through amendments and interpretations over the past 200 years.
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Frequently asked questions
There is only one official version of the US Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788.
Yes, some residents of Pennsylvania and New York were given German and Dutch translations of the Constitution, which differed from the official English version. These translations were originally printed in 1787 and 1788 and were later republished in collected volumes.
The German and Dutch translations of the US Constitution differed in their interpretations of certain key concepts and clauses. For example, the German translation of "commerce" in Article 1, Section 8 indicated "the larger scope of actions and interactions of persons involved in business," while the Dutch version defined commerce as activities among merchants. Additionally, the German translation appeared to allow the government to establish commerce where it might not have previously existed. The translations also differed in their definitions of "felonies," "misdemeanors," and "trial."
Yes, there were some discrepancies in the various printed and handwritten versions of the US Constitution. For example, the original document included four amendments made by hand and signed by the convention's secretary, William Jackson. Additionally, there were differences in the language of the concluding endorsement, which was made intentionally ambiguous to win over the votes of dissenting delegates.
