Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, is considered a cornerstone of a type of civil religion. It defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and is influenced by the study of the Magna Carta and other federations, as well as the political philosophies of the Enlightenment. The Constitution was written by representatives of the people and ratified by the people, and its creation involved debates around the rights of the people and the limitations of the power of government. The Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, defines citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Written by representatives of the people | George Mason, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Robert Morris |
| Ratified by the people | President Washington |
| Influenced by | Magna Carta, federations (both ancient and extant), the study of English history, the Iroquois Confederacy, eighteenth-century Enlightenment philosophers (Montesquieu, John Locke, Edward Coke, William Blackstone, Hume) |
| Established principles | Separation of Powers, Due Process Clause, Bill of Rights, Amendments, Judicial Review |
| Date | 17th Day of September 1787 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution's influence on the founding of America
The US Constitution was a federal document that defined the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It united a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one national government, vesting the power of the union in the people. The Constitution was influenced by the study of the Magna Carta and other federations, both ancient and modern. The Due Process Clause, for instance, was based on common law and the Magna Carta, which had become a foundation of English liberty against arbitrary power. The Separation of Powers inherent in the Constitution was inspired by eighteenth-century Enlightenment philosophers such as Montesquieu and John Locke. The influence of these philosophers was evident at the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitution was also influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy, according to American Indian history scholars Donald Grinde and Bruce Johansen, who claim there is "overwhelming evidence" of this. However, this idea has been questioned and criticised by various historians and anthropologists.
The Constitution came about after the Revolutionary War, when James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared their young country was on the brink of collapse. America’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, had no enforcement powers, couldn’t regulate commerce, or print money. The states’ disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart. Alexander Hamilton helped convince Congress to organise a Grand Convention of state delegates to work on revising the Articles of Confederation. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the new Constitution, creating a powerful central government.
The Constitution has had a notable influence on governance worldwide, especially through the 1970s. Its international influence can be seen in similarities in 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.
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The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration justifies the independence of the colonies, citing 27 colonial grievances against King George III and asserting certain natural and legal rights, including the right of revolution. It states that the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule, and that they had the full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and perform other acts that independent states may rightfully do.
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The Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people.
The amendments of the Bill of Rights add to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, assemble, and other natural and legal rights. The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in their homes through the requirement of a warrant. The concepts codified in these amendments are built upon those in earlier documents, especially the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Northwest Ordinance, the English Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta.
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The Constitution's authors
The United States Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. These delegates were elected by 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island abstained) to revise the Articles of Confederation, the country's first written constitution. However, the delegates soon realised that the Articles were fundamentally flawed and decided to create an entirely new document.
The drafting of the Constitution was a long and arduous process, with delegates disagreeing on many key issues. These included the balance of power between the states and the federal government, the structure of the legislature, and the qualifications for voting and office holding.
Among the 55 delegates, several key figures played pivotal roles in shaping the Constitution. George Washington, often referred to as the "Father of His Country," presided over the Convention. While he did not actively participate in drafting the text, his leadership and support were crucial in achieving consensus. James Madison, another pivotal figure, is often called the "Father of the Constitution" due to his extensive contributions to the drafting process. Madison authored the Virginia Plan, which served as the foundation for the Constitution, and played a leading role in the debates surrounding it. He also wrote many of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays defending the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton, a delegate from New York, was a passionate advocate for a strong federal government. He was a key author of the Federalist Papers and his ideas on government and economics greatly influenced the framing of the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest delegate at the Convention. His wisdom and diplomacy helped bridge gaps between differing factions and contributed to the necessary compromises.
Other notable delegates included Robert Morris of Pennsylvania, often referred to as the "financier" of the Revolution, and John Jay, who, along with Hamilton and Madison, co-authored the Federalist Papers.
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The Constitution's impact on the world
The US Constitution has had a significant impact on the world, becoming a notable model for governance worldwide, especially through the 1970s. Its principles, phrasing, and passages have been replicated in other constitutions, and it has influenced the concepts of the rule of law, separation of powers, and recognition of individual rights. The Constitution's impact extends beyond its specific provisions, as it symbolises a merger of states with diverse interests, laws, and cultures, uniting citizens under a single national government. This aspect of the Constitution has been particularly influential, demonstrating how a large republic can counterbalance various political interest groups and prevent oppression by a majority faction.
Additionally, the Constitution's emphasis on individual rights and liberties has had a profound impact on the global advancement of human rights. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the Constitution, has been particularly influential in shaping how other nations define and protect the rights of their citizens. The Due Process Clause, for example, was based on the Magna Carta, a foundational document in the English struggle for liberty against arbitrary royal power.
The Constitution's influence extends beyond politics and law, becoming a cultural touchstone and a symbol of American democracy. The Rotunda in the National Archives, designed by architect John Russell Pope, showcases murals depicting the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, underscoring their significance in the American narrative. The documents are also seen by some Americans as a cornerstone of a civil religion, uniting a diverse nation through a shared political orthodoxy.
Moreover, the process of creating the Constitution, with its debates and compromises, offers a valuable lesson in consensus-building and managing diverse interests. The founding fathers, representing a wide range of perspectives, crafted a document that balanced these differing views, setting a precedent for constitutional negotiations worldwide. The Constitution's impact on the world is, therefore, profound and multifaceted, shaping not just the political and legal landscape but also the cultural and ideological realms.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is a federal document that defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States.
The US Constitution was influenced by the study of the Magna Carta, other ancient and extant federations, and the political philosophies of the Enlightenment.
The US Constitution was written by representatives of the people and ratified by the people. The Virginia Convention took the lead in this process, aiming to determine the powers and branches of the state government and ensure they were restrained and emanated from the will of the people.
The US Constitution outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government, including the right to declare the law, and the limitations of government power. It also establishes the procedures for amending the Constitution.
