Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the United States, written in 1787, is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is a charter of government that continues to be the supreme law of the land. The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, which was conducted under an oath of secrecy. The delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The Constitution was drafted to replace the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. While the Constitution has been praised as a powerful vision of freedom, it has also faced criticism and opposition, including from those who viewed it as creating a powerful central government reminiscent of the one that had just been overthrown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | May 25, 1787 – September 17, 1787 |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Location written | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of ratifying states required | 9 of 13 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| First public printing | The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser |
| Date of first public printing | September 19, 1787 |
| Location of original signed copy | National Archives, Washington, D.C. |
| Location of rare, original copy of first public printing | National Constitution Center |
| Oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution | United States |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Constitution's origins
The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It was written during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. The delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states; Rhode Island refused to send delegates.
The convention's initial mandate was to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, the delegates soon began considering measures to replace the Articles. The first proposal, introduced by delegates from Virginia, called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch. An alternative to this, known as the New Jersey Plan, retained the legislative structure while also calling for an elected executive.
The delegates to the convention swore an oath of secrecy so they could speak freely. They shuttered the windows of the State House to prevent curious onlookers from overhearing their discussions. The delegates appointed a Committee of Detail to put its decisions in writing and a Committee of Style and Arrangement to condense the articles into the final form. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The Constitution was not immediately effective upon being signed by the delegates. It needed to be ratified by the people through a process that bypassed the state legislatures, as it was reasoned that their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. Instead, special ratifying conventions were held in each state, and ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacted the new government. The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays penned mostly by Alexander Hamilton, played a crucial role in the ratification campaign, as they probed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a strong national government.
The Constitution's Black Presence: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Who wrote it?
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The delegates were elected by the states to revise the Articles of Confederation, the country's first written constitution.
The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These three men were all delegates to the convention and played a leading role in drafting the document. James Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" because of his extensive contributions to the drafting process. He was the primary author of the Virginia Plan, which served as the basis for much of the Constitution. Madison also played a key role in the debates over the Constitution, and he wrote many of the Federalist Papers, which were a series of essays defending the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton was a strong advocate for a strong central government and played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch. He also wrote many of the Federalist Papers and is considered one of the most important thinkers in American history. John Jay, a lawyer and diplomat from New York, served as the first Chief Justice of the United States. He was a strong advocate for a federal system of government and played a key role in drafting Article III, which establishes the judicial branch.
In addition to these three men, there were many other delegates to the Constitutional Convention who made significant contributions to the drafting of the Constitution. The delegates came from different states and represented a wide range of interests and views. They crafted compromises to address the issues of states' rights, representation, and slavery. The final document was a product of political compromise and long, often rancorous debates.
Mexico's Constitution: A Written Promise to its People
You may want to see also
Who did it serve?
The US Constitution was written by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The delegates were chosen by state legislatures. The document was intended to serve as a charter of government, outlining the framework for the US government, and it was designed to be ratified by the states.
The Constitution was written to address concerns about the Articles of Confederation, which had been America's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had given the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and could not print money. The young country was on the brink of collapse, with states disputing over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade.
The delegates at the Constitutional Convention were tasked with revising the existing government, but they ended up creating a completely new one. They crafted a powerful central government, compromising to represent their wildly different interests and views. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
The Constitution was not written to serve everyone, as it excluded and marginalised certain groups. For example, it counted enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person, and the delegates agreed that the slave trade could continue until 1808. The document also lacked a bill of rights, which was a point of contention for the Anti-Federalists.
France's Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ratification and amendments
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world. It was written during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which began on May 25, 1787, and was presided over by George Washington. The Constitution was first ratified on December 7, 1787, by Delaware, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, it wasn't until May 29, 1790, that the Constitution was ratified by all states, with Rhode Island being the last state to approve the document.
The Constitution originally included seven articles, which defined the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The remaining articles (IV, V, and VI) describe the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states' relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. Article VII establishes the procedure used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
Amending the Constitution involves a two-step process. First, a proposal for an amendment must be adopted either by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once the proposal is passed, Congress decides on the method of ratification, which can be either through the consent of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. The proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution once it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50).
Several amendments have been made to the Constitution since its ratification. The Third Amendment (1791) prohibits the federal government from forcing individuals to provide lodging to soldiers in their homes during peacetime without their consent. The Eighth Amendment (1791) protects individuals from excessive bail or fines and cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth Amendment (1791) recognizes that individuals have other fundamental rights beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution. The Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, prohibits denying any US citizen the right to vote based on sex.
Understanding Expressed Powers: Constitutional Foundations of Government
You may want to see also
Its legacy
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is also the world's shortest. It was written in 1787, at a time when no other country in the world allowed its citizens to select their form of government, let alone a democratic one. This was a truly revolutionary act, and it continues to inspire the world today.
The Constitution is a charter of government that came to be ratified by the states, and it is the supreme law of the land. It is a powerful vision of freedom, and its impact on the trajectory of world history is undeniable. It has been described as an "extraordinary achievement", and it is one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally. Its influence is seen in the many countries that have since adopted similar constitutional provisions.
The Constitution's legacy is also evident in the establishment of a powerful central government, a concept that was fiercely debated during its drafting. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention were wary of centralized power, yet they ultimately created a strong national government. This was a significant shift from the Articles of Confederation, which had no enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The Constitution's framework of a federal government with three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—provided a stable foundation for the young nation.
The Constitution's impact on the spread of democratic ideals cannot be overstated. It put governance in the hands of the people, and its ratification by the states demonstrated the power of popular sovereignty. The process of its creation, with delegates representing diverse interests and views, crafting compromises, also set a precedent for democratic decision-making. The Constitution's legacy is thus deeply intertwined with the spread and evolution of democracy.
Washington's Absence: A Different Constitutional Fate?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Constitution is a document that outlines the framework for the United States government. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
The Constitution was written by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention, who were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states. The chief architect of the Constitution was Gouverneur Morris.
The Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation, which had been ineffective in meeting the needs of the young nation. The framers of the Constitution sought to create a powerful central government while also maintaining loyalty to their individual states.
The Constitution was written with the intention of establishing a "more perfect Union" and securing the "Blessings of Liberty" for "ourselves and our Posterity". However, it is important to note that the Constitution was written by a limited group of individuals and may not have represented the views of all people in the United States at the time. Additionally, the Constitution initially upheld slavery and counted enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person, demonstrating that it did not grant equal rights to all individuals.
