Omar Bennett
The Founding Fathers of the United States, often referred to as the Framers of the Constitution, were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and established the United States of America. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The preamble is an introductory statement that sets the tone for the Constitution. It communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document.
Framers of the Constitution and Preamble
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of framers | 70 individuals were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, to the Constitutional Convention. |
| Number of attendees | 55 delegates attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution. |
| Age range | 26-81 |
| Occupations | A wide range of high and middle-status occupations |
| Experience | Extensive political experience, four-fifths had been in the Continental Congress, and nearly all had experience in colonial and state government. |
| Notable delegates | George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmond Randolph, Roger Sherman, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay |
| Preamble | "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." |
| Preamble function | Sets the stage for the Constitution, communicates the intentions of the framers, and expresses the purpose of the document. |
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What You'll Learn
The intentions of the framers
The framers of the American Constitution were visionaries. They designed a Constitution that would endure and set forth broad principles that would be adapted and interpreted over time. The framers understood that future generations would need to draw upon their intelligence, judgement, and experience to give concrete meaning to these broad principles as society changed.
The framers also wanted to limit the political influence of the voting public, particularly through their control over state governments. They believed that the government was created to protect property, not redistribute it. To this end, they ensured that the president was selected not by individual voters but by a body of electors chosen by the states. The framers tried to insulate Congress from populist pressures in various ways, such as by having senators selected by state legislators rather than directly elected by voters, and by keeping the House of Representatives relatively small.
The framers outlined their general goals in the Preamble to the Constitution: to create a just government and to ensure peace, an adequate national defence, and a healthy, free nation. They also defined fundamental freedoms in general terms, such as freedom of speech, due process of law, and equal protection of the laws.
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The framers' vision for the future
The Framers of the Constitution were visionaries who sought to establish the foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new American nation into an uncertain future. They were delegates to the Constitutional Convention, tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation. However, instead of simply revising the existing documents, they drafted a new Constitution that would endure and address the challenges facing the nation during their lifetimes and beyond. The Framers, or Founding Fathers, as they are also known, included prominent figures such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.
The Framers also envisioned a crucial role for the courts in safeguarding these rights and liberties. They understood the potential for political majorities to infringe upon the guarantees outlined in the Bill of Rights. Thus, they emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary to act as a check on governmental power and protect the rights of individuals. This vision of a robust judicial system was articulated by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 78, where he stated that constitutional protections could only be preserved through the medium of courts of justice.
Additionally, the Framers' vision for the future was expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution, which sets forth the goals and responsibilities of the new nation. The Preamble begins with the famous words, "We the People," emphasizing the democratic nature of the American experiment. The Preamble goes on to outline the ambitious job description for the new nation, including the establishment of justice, domestic tranquility, common defence, and the promotion of the general welfare and liberty. While the Preamble provides a broad direction, it is not specific in outlining how this vision should be implemented, leaving it to future generations to adapt and interpret the Constitution to meet the changing needs of the nation.
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The role of the courts
The Framers of the American Constitution were visionaries who designed the Constitution to endure and to establish the foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The Constitution defines fundamental freedoms and governmental powers in general terms. The Framers intended for the courts to play a central role in addressing these concerns and interpreting the Constitution.
The Framers understood that they were entrusting future generations with the responsibility to interpret and give concrete meaning to the broad principles of the Constitution over time. This interpretation must be true to the vision of the Framers and recognize that, in a self-governing society, courts must generally defer to the preferences of the majority while also reviewing governmental action to guard against arbitrary or unreasonable decisions. Federal judges are appointed for life to insulate them from swings in public sentiment and to permit an impartial judiciary. Judges at all levels must follow the Constitution in their decision-making and resist the temptation to make policy.
The preamble to the Constitution, drafted by the Framers, sets the stage for the Constitution and communicates its intentions and purpose. It is not the law but an introduction to the highest law of the land. It outlines five objectives, including "establish justice", which reflects the role of the courts in upholding the law and administering justice.
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The role of the president
The Framers of the Constitution were visionaries who designed the Constitution to endure. They sought to establish foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The Framers intended for the Constitution to set forth broad principles, entrusting future generations with the responsibility of giving them concrete meaning over time.
The President, as outlined in Article II of the U.S. Constitution, is the head of the Executive Branch of the federal government. The President's role is to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed." The President has the authority to enforce laws and appoint agents to carry out this enforcement. This includes the power to appoint ambassadors, ministers, judges, and other officers with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President also has the power to make treaties, with the consent of two-thirds of the Senators present.
In addition to these powers, the President has distinct authority over foreign affairs, including the power to recognize foreign governments and receive ambassadors. The President also plays a role in the legislative process by recommending legislative measures and, in extraordinary circumstances, convening or adjourning Congress.
The President is elected by the people, with each state appointing electors equal to the number of Senators and Representatives of that state. The President serves a four-year term and must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old.
The President's role also includes providing for the nation's defence as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President has the power to pardon individuals and can be removed from office through impeachment and conviction on charges of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
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The role of the judiciary
The Framers of the Constitution were visionaries who sought to establish the foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. They designed the Constitution to endure, defining fundamental freedoms in general terms, such as freedom of speech, due process of law, and equal protection of the laws. The Framers entrusted future generations with the responsibility of interpreting and applying these broad principles in a changing society, recognising that the Constitution sets forth broad principles that need to be defined and given substance over time.
The preamble to the Constitution, drafted by the Framers, sets the stage for the document and communicates its intentions and purpose. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land and outlines five objectives, including the establishment of justice. The preamble is not the law itself, but it provides an understanding of the government powers and individual rights that are elaborated on in the Constitution.
The Framers intended for the judiciary to play a crucial role in safeguarding the Constitution and protecting the rights of individuals. They recognised that political majorities could infringe upon the guarantees outlined in the Bill of Rights and envisioned an independent judiciary as a "legal check" to resist these encroachments. This belief in the importance of the judiciary is reflected in the statements of key figures such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
The Framers' vision for the judiciary reflects their understanding of the imperfections of majority rule and their commitment to establishing a system of checks and balances. By entrusting the judiciary with the interpretation and application of the Constitution, the Framers ensured a measure of stability and continuity in the nation's governance, even as society evolved and changed.
In summary, the Framers of the Constitution recognised the vital role of the judiciary in upholding the principles and values enshrined in the document. Through their interpretations and applications of the law, the judiciary safeguards citizens' rights, ensures fair governance, and helps realise the Framers' vision of a nation guided by enduring foundational principles.
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Frequently asked questions
The Framers of the Constitution were the 55 men who drafted the Constitution of the United States. They were sent by their state legislatures to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Notable Framers include George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin.
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who crafted a framework of government for the new nation. They include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The Founding Fathers also include certain military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
The Preamble is an introduction to the Constitution. It communicates the intentions of the Framers and the purpose of the document. It is not the law. The Preamble reads: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The Preamble sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for their government and way of life as a nation. It outlines five objectives: establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for future generations.
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