Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. The Constitution was created just a few years after the Revolutionary War, when the young country was on the brink of collapse due to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. The Constitution has been amended several times since its creation, with the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being added in 1791. The United States Constitution has endured for over two centuries, surviving civil war, economic depressions, and other challenges, and it continues to serve as a source of wisdom and inspiration for Americans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of inception | 1787 |
| Year of ratification | 1788 |
| Year it came into operation | 1789 |
| Year the Bill of Rights was ratified | 1791 |
| Year of the first Constitutional stamp | 1937 |
| Year Constitution Week was established | 1956 |
| Year Constitution Day was designated | 2004 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution was signed in 1787
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. The signing of this document, which established a powerful central government, was the culmination of months of intense debate and compromise among the delegates. The Constitutional Convention, convened in Philadelphia, witnessed 38 of the 41 delegates put their names to the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson, bringing the total signatures to 39.
The Constitution's inception arose from concerns about the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, which had left the young nation vulnerable to collapse due to its lack of enforcement powers and inability to regulate commerce or print money. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington were instrumental in recognising the need for a stronger central government, and their efforts led to the convening of the Constitutional Convention.
The delegates to the convention, including notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, and Gouverneur Morris, grappled with complex issues, aiming to strike a balance between a powerful central government and the preservation of tenets of independence and individual rights. The final document, consisting of seven articles, outlined the basic framework of the federal government, with Article I describing the Congress, the legislative branch.
The Constitution's adoption was not without opposition. States like Massachusetts objected to the lack of reserved undelegated powers and insufficient protection of basic political rights. However, a compromise was reached, and the necessary nine out of 13 states ratified the document, with New Hampshire becoming the pivotal ninth state in June 1788. The Constitution's first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were later ratified in 1791, guaranteeing essential freedoms such as religion, speech, and assembly.
The signing of the Constitution in 1787 laid the foundation for the United States government as we know it today. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, addressing the shortcomings of the previous framework and establishing a stronger central authority. The process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution was a complex and contentious journey, but the resulting document has endured as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions worldwide.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791. This was just over three years after the Constitution was ratified on September 13, 1788. The Bill of Rights was written by James Madison, then a member of the US House of Representatives, and it was influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, also written by George Mason.
Madison's amendments were designed to win support in both houses of Congress and the states. He focused on rights-related amendments, ignoring suggestions that would have brought about structural changes to the government. Madison's proposals were presented as a list of amendments to follow Article VII, as Congress did not have the authority to change the Constitution's wording. The House approved 17 amendments, and the Senate approved 12, which were sent to the states for approval in August 1789.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, which were designed to meet the arguments most frequently advanced against it. By December 15, 1791, three-fourths of the states had ratified 10 of these amendments, now known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
The first two amendments were related to the number of constituents for each Representative and varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives, respectively. However, these were not ratified until much later in history, with the second amendment being ratified in 1992, 203 years after it was first proposed. The first amendment has never been ratified.
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Amendments: average time and total for 27
The US Constitution was put into operation on March 4, 1789. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were proposed on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791.
The first eight amendments outline specific restrictions on governmental power, while the ninth amendment emphasises that the people retain all rights not specifically delegated to the government. The tenth amendment reinforces the federal nature of the US government by stating that powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.
The process of amending the US Constitution is deliberately designed to be challenging, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to propose an amendment, and ratification by three-fourths of the states (38 states) to become law. This two-step process aims to balance the need for change with stability in the nation's governing framework.
The time taken for each amendment to be ratified varies. For example, the 27th Amendment, which was initially proposed in 1789 alongside the Bill of Rights, was not ratified until 1992, a gap of 203 years. On the other hand, the 18th Amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol, was ratified in 1919 and was then repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933, just 14 years later.
Considering the varying timeframes for each amendment, it is challenging to calculate an exact average time for the ratification of all 27 amendments. However, a very rough estimate can be made. If we assume that the total time taken for all 27 amendments is the time between the Constitution's enactment in 1789 and the ratification of the 27th Amendment in 1992 (a span of 203 years), we can divide this time by 27 to get an average of around 7.5 years per amendment. Nevertheless, this calculation does not account for the varying dates of each amendment's ratification and should be interpreted with caution.
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The US Constitution's influence since 1980s
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, has had a profound impact on the history of ideas and legal thinking. It has influenced the constitutions of many other nations, particularly in the mid-19th century when European colonies began to reference it. The US Constitution's influence can be seen in similarities of phrasing and borrowed passages in other constitutions, as well as in the principles of the rule of law, separation of powers, and recognition of individual rights.
Since the 1980s, however, there has been a shift, and the influence of the US Constitution has been waning. This is due to the creation of new constitutions in other countries and the updating of older ones, a process that is considered more difficult in the United States than in any other country. Despite this, the US Constitution continues to be a source of inspiration for those seeking political reform and remains one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally.
The US Constitution's influence can be seen in the Mexican Constitution, where President Benito Juarez implemented practices like judicial review when introducing more liberal policies. Similarly, Jose Rizal of the Philippines and Sun Yat-sen of China drew inspiration from the US Constitution in their calls for political reform and the overthrow of the feudal system of the Qing dynasty, respectively.
The Australian Constitution also shows the influence of the US Constitution, particularly in the adoption of a federal system with a senate representing the states and the concepts of a formal separation of power and judicial review. However, it is important to note that Australia also preserved Westminster parliamentary traditions and the British monarchy.
The US Constitution's impact can also be seen in the constitutions of Canada, Switzerland, and other countries that were once part of the British Empire. These countries often chose a more centralized model, such as the British Westminster system, while still incorporating ideas of federalism and judicial review from the US Constitution.
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The Articles of Confederation
The final draft of the Articles of Confederation was completed on November 15, 1777, and submitted to the states for ratification in late November 1777. The first state to ratify was Virginia on December 16, 1777, and 12 states had ratified the Articles by February 1779. However, Maryland refused to ratify until the other states ceded their claims to western lands. Maryland finally ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, and Congress was informed of Maryland's assent on March 1, 1781, officially proclaiming the Articles of Confederation to be the law of the land.
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Frequently asked questions
It has been over 235 years since the US Constitution was created in 1787.
The US Constitution was ratified in 1788, a year after its creation.
The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments, was ratified on December 15, 1791, about three years after the Constitution was ratified.
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