Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, was written during the Critical Period of American history, between the end of the American Revolution in 1783 and its ratification in 1789. The Constitution was drafted at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, and its creation is considered by some historians to have saved the Revolution. The Critical Period was a time of economic and political chaos, with disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatening to tear the young country apart. The Constitution was designed to replace the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak central government with limited powers and had failed to address the country's pressing issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 1783-1789 |
| Definition | The "Critical Period" refers to the years between the end of the American Revolution and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. |
| Historical perspectives | Some historians view this period as a time of economic and political chaos, while others argue it was a relatively stable and prosperous time. |
| Federalist perspective | Federalists, a relatively small group, viewed the era as a "Critical Period" due to the lack of an effective central government and unified political culture. |
| Outcome | The ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789 established a new, more effective federal government. |
| Previous government | The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, gave power to the Confederation Congress but lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. |
| New constitution | The U.S. Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation and established a powerful central government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. |
| Ratification process | The Constitution was written at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 and ratified by 9 of the 13 states, bypassing state legislatures and relying on special ratifying conventions in each state. |
| Supporters and opponents | Federalists supported the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists opposed it due to concerns about centralization of power and the lack of a bill of rights. |
| Compromises | The "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory in Massachusetts and other holdout states, with the promise of a bill of rights. |
| Key figures | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington were influential in the creation of the new constitution. |
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What You'll Learn
The Philadelphia Convention
James Madison of Virginia, Alexander Hamilton of New York, and George Washington were key figures in the lead-up to the convention. They, along with other Founders, feared that the young nation was on the brink of collapse due to the limitations of the Articles of Confederation. These included the Confederation Congress's lack of power to regulate commerce, print money, or enforce its decisions, as well as the states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade.
The convention was initially intended to revise the Articles of Confederation and devise a better system of federal government. However, once the convention began, most delegates agreed that a new system of government was needed rather than simply revising the existing one. They debated and ultimately ratified the Constitution of the United States, creating a powerful central government with a federal system that divided authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
General George Washington, the former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected as the president of the convention. The delegates also adopted rules drafted by a committee led by George Wythe, with Charles Pinckney and Alexander Hamilton as members. Each state delegation had one vote, and discussions and votes were kept secret until the convention's conclusion.
The convention faced challenges, including divisions between delegates from small and large states over representation. Two notable plans were proposed: the Virginia Plan (or large state plan) and the New Jersey Plan (or small state plan). The Virginia Plan, proposed by Edmund Randolph, suggested a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population or wealth. The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, advocated for equal representation in Congress. Ultimately, the Virginia Plan was selected as the basis for the new government.
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The Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington, feared that the young nation was on the brink of collapse due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. They believed that a stronger national government was needed to regulate commerce, print money, and resolve disputes between states. Hamilton played a key role in convincing Congress to organize the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787, where the Constitution was drafted.
The Anti-Federalists, led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, worried that the Constitution's creation of a powerful central government would threaten the sovereignty and prestige of the states, localities, and individuals. They saw the proposed government as a new form of centralized and "monarchic" power that resembled the governance of Great Britain, which they had just overthrown. Additionally, they believed that a large central government would not adequately represent the interests of small towns and rural areas.
The ratification process of the Constitution was a highly contested debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. By January 1788, five states had approved the Constitution, but several pivotal states remained uncertain, including Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. The Anti-Federalists fought hard against ratification, but the Federalists were able to secure enough votes by agreeing to recommend a list of amendments, which later became the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, was added in 1791 to address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists and ensure individual liberties. James Madison, a key Federalist and primary architect of the Constitution, played a critical role in drafting and advocating for the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed freedoms such as freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition.
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The Articles of Confederation
The national Congress was empowered to make war and peace, negotiate diplomatic and commercial agreements with foreign countries, and resolve disputes between the states. However, it had no enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and could not print money. This led to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening to tear the young country apart.
The flaws in the Articles of Confederation led to calls for a stronger central government, and eventually, the drafting of the US Constitution in 1787. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789, establishing a powerful central government with a clear separation of powers.
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The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention in May 1787 and was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
The inclusion of a Bill of Rights was seen as necessary to ensure acceptance of the Constitution, especially by the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the creation of a powerful central government. The absence of a bill of rights was one of the main criticisms of the Constitution, along with the lack of protections for people. The addition of the Bill of Rights addressed these concerns and helped to secure the ratification of the Constitution.
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The Supreme Court
The United States Constitution, written during the "Critical Period" of American history, outlines the framework of the federal government and delineates its powers. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, is established in Article III of the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States and plays a crucial role in interpreting and applying the Constitution. It has the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional and can strike down laws that it deems violate the Constitution. This power of judicial review ensures that the Supreme Court serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches, maintaining a balance of power among the three branches of government.
However, the Supreme Court has also faced criticism for its handling of cases. Some critics argue that the Court delays decisions by focusing on technicalities and procedural issues, leaving cases of public interest unaddressed. The Court's role in declaring acts of Congress unconstitutional can be controversial, as it must balance its power with the elected branches of government. The Supreme Court's decisions can have far-reaching consequences, and the Court must carefully consider the impact of its rulings on the nation.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court, as established by the United States Constitution during the Critical Period, plays a vital role in interpreting and upholding the nation's laws. Its power of judicial review and its role in maintaining the separation of powers are essential to the functioning of the American system of government. While the Court has faced criticism, it remains a crucial component of the constitutional framework established during the Critical Period.
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Frequently asked questions
The "Critical Period" is a term coined by John Fiske in 1880 to describe the time between the end of the American Revolution in 1783 and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789.
Yes, the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1789, which falls within the "Critical Period". The writing of the Constitution began in May 1787, with the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
The Constitution was written by 38 delegates, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson, bringing the total to 39 signatures.
After the Constitution was written, it was sent to the states for ratification. By January 9, 1788, five states had approved the Constitution, and by February, Massachusetts had also ratified it. On March 4, 1789, the Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, becoming the supreme law of the United States of America.
