Malcolm Rivera
The framers of the US Constitution gathered in Philadelphia in 1787, ostensibly to revise the Articles of Confederation, but soon decided to completely redesign the government. The framers' six reasons for writing the Constitution were to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity. The framers also wanted to limit the political influence of the voting public, particularly through their control over state governments, and to insulate Congress from populist pressures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Form a more perfect union | To form a more unified nation, addressing disputes between states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade |
| Establish justice | To ensure freedom of speech, due process of law, free exercise of religion, equal protection of laws, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment |
| Ensure domestic tranquility | To insulate the government from populist pressures, including by having the president selected by a body of electors rather than by popular vote |
| Provide for the common defense | To establish a stronger central government, including the power to regulate commerce, print money, and enforce treaties |
| Promote the general welfare | To protect property rights and limit the redistribution of wealth |
| Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity | To create a framework that could be adapted over time to meet future challenges and aspirations |
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What You'll Learn
To form a more perfect union
The phrase "to form a more perfect union" is part of the preamble to the United States Constitution. It reflects the framers' intention to create a stronger and more unified nation, addressing the deficiencies and weaknesses of the previous governing document, the Articles of Confederation.
The Articles of Confederation, established in 1781, served as America's first attempt at self-governance as an independent nation. However, it had several shortcomings. The Confederation Congress lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, or print money. This led to disputes among the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening the young nation's stability.
Recognizing the need for a stronger central authority, the framers of the Constitution sought to form a more perfect union by establishing a more robust national government. They bypassed state legislatures during the ratification process, calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. This resulted in the creation of a federal government with defined governmental powers, including the power to regulate commerce and enforce laws.
The phrase "to form a more perfect union" implies a continuous pursuit of improvement and unity among the states. It acknowledges that while progress has been made, the work of creating a more ideal union is never truly complete. This sentiment is reflected in Congressman John Garamendi's words, where he expresses that despite the formation of a more perfect union, there is still much to be done to secure justice and promote the general welfare of all Americans.
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Establish justice
The phrase "establish justice" is a fundamental concept in the US Constitution, reflecting the framers' vision of a just and equitable society. The framers, or Founding Fathers, were the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, with 39 eventually signing the Constitution. The framers' intention was to create a strong central government that could address the nation's challenges and ensure justice for all.
The framers understood that establishing justice required a set of fundamental freedoms and protections for citizens. This included freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. These freedoms were enshrined in the Bill of Rights, which was added to the Constitution to address the concerns of Anti-Federalists, who opposed the creation of a powerful central government.
To "establish justice," the framers also recognised the need for an independent judiciary that could interpret and apply the law fairly and impartially. This included the establishment of the Supreme Court, which was given the power to review and interpret the Constitution, ensuring that the laws were applied justly and equally to all citizens. The framers understood that the interpretation of the Constitution would need to evolve over time as society changed, a concept known as "judicial review."
Additionally, the framers sought to establish justice by creating a system of checks and balances within the government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and infringing on the rights of citizens. This system divided the government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—each with its own set of powers and responsibilities. By distributing power in this way, the framers hoped to prevent tyranny and ensure that the government remained accountable to the people.
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Ensure domestic tranquility
The phrase "insure domestic tranquility" from the US Constitution refers to maintaining peace within the country and preventing internal strife, such as the Civil War. The founding fathers wanted to foster harmony among the people and keep hostile sentiments at bay. This aspect of the Constitution reflects the framers' commitment to preserving family life and protecting it from government interference. They viewed the family as the basic unit of society and believed that ensuring its well-being was a responsibility entrusted to the people rather than the government.
The framers of the Constitution, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, were concerned about the young nation's stability. They saw the limitations of the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, and the power to print money. State disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.
To address these challenges, the framers gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 for the Constitutional Convention. They decided to redesign the government, compromising on issues like congressional representation and temporarily resolving the contentious issue of slavery. The framers also aimed to limit the influence of populism on the government. They established a system where the president was chosen by electors appointed by the states rather than by popular vote. Additionally, senators were initially selected by state legislators, and the size of the House of Representatives was kept relatively small to limit populist influence.
The Constitution's emphasis on ensuring domestic tranquility reflects the framers' desire to create a stable and harmonious nation. They wanted to protect family life and shield the government from populist pressures. By empowering the people to maintain peace and order, the framers laid the foundation for a nation built on a constellation of evolving rights and protections.
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Provide for common defence
The framers of the US Constitution aimed to "provide for the common defence" of the nation. This meant establishing and maintaining a national fighting force, with Congress being given the responsibility to "provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States". This responsibility is reflected in legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which ensures that the nation's fighting forces have the necessary resources and upholds the commitment to honour service members and their families.
The framers were concerned about the deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The framers of the new Constitution aimed to address these issues and create a stronger central government that could effectively defend the nation.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, which included delegates such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, played a crucial role in shaping the nation's defence. The framers recognised the need to balance the relative political influence of the voting public with the stability and strength of a central government. This included insulating Congress and the judiciary from populist pressures, such as through the selection of senators by state legislators rather than direct election by voters.
The framers' vision for common defence extended beyond just military might. It also encompassed the establishment of a nationwide system of courts, including the US Supreme Court, to protect the interests of the federal government and enforce federal treaties. The framers understood the importance of adapting to changing circumstances, entrusting future generations with the responsibility to interpret and apply their broad principles in the context of their times.
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Promote general welfare
The "General Welfare Clause" is a section that appears in many constitutions, including the US Constitution, which states that the government should provide for the common defence and general welfare of its citizens. The framers of the US Constitution intended for the government to be able to enact laws to promote the general welfare of the people, which can include health, safety, morals, and well-being.
The framers of the US Constitution were concerned about the relative political influence of the voting public, particularly through their control over state governments. They wanted to shield the judiciary from populist influence and ensure that the president was selected by a body of electors rather than by individual voters. The framers also wanted to limit the influence of Congress, which is reflected in the General Welfare Clause.
The framers' vision for the General Welfare Clause was for it to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. They understood that future generations would need to interpret and apply the clause based on their own intelligence, judgment, and experience. This is evident in the wording of the clause, which does not provide specific guidance on how to promote the general welfare.
The General Welfare Clause has been interpreted in various ways throughout US history. The Supreme Court has held that the mention of the clause in the Preamble does not confer any substantive power on the government. However, the Court has also interpreted the clause expansively, giving Congress plenary power to impose taxes and spend money for the general welfare. The Court has also held that spending must be in pursuit of the general welfare, but it is largely up to Congress to decide which expenditures will promote the general welfare.
In addition to the US Constitution, many state constitutions also include provisions related to the general welfare. For example, the Constitution of North Dakota provides for a right to education, while the Constitution of Alaska addresses the public health of state inhabitants. These state constitutions often provide more specific guidance on economic and social rights than the federal constitution.
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