Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was constructed on September 17, 1787, after months of conflicting views, heated debates, and clashing ideas. The official purpose of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates realized they shared two general goals: to create a republican form and a new constitutional form of government. The ideas of unalienable rights, the separation of powers, and the structure of the Constitution were largely influenced by European Enlightenment thinkers, like Montesquieu, John Locke, and others. The Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12, and the delegates began to consider each section. On September 15, Edmund Randolph proposed that amendments be made by the state conventions and then turned over to another general convention for consideration. The next day, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing for John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules, conduct diplomacy, and request funds from the states, but it lacked the authority to enforce these rules. Each state retained sovereignty over all governmental functions not specifically relinquished to the national Congress, including the power to make war and peace, negotiate agreements with foreign countries, and resolve disputes between states.
The process of drafting and ratifying the Articles of Confederation was a lengthy one. The Second Continental Congress created three committees in 1776 to work on a Declaration of Independence, a model treaty, and the Articles of Confederation. Benjamin Franklin's proposal for the Articles was initially opposed, but after the Declaration of Independence, Congress recognised the need for a national government. The final draft of the Articles was completed on November 15, 1777, and submitted to the states for ratification. Virginia was the first state to ratify on December 16, 1777, and by February 1779, 12 states had ratified the Articles. Maryland, the final holdout state, ratified on March 1, 1781, officially proclaiming the Articles of Confederation as the law of the land.
Constitution Trailblazers: Pre-US Constitutional Countries
You may want to see also
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists were two opposing political ideologies that emerged during the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution in the late 18th century.
Federalists
The Federalists, including prominent figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, advocated for a strong central government with authority over the states. They believed that a centralized government was necessary to address the challenges facing the young nation, such as disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. They sought to replace the Articles of Confederation, which they viewed as inadequate due to its lack of enforcement powers and inability to regulate commerce or print money.
Anti-Federalists
The Anti-Federalists, led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, opposed the creation of a powerful federal government and the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. They argued that the Constitution would lead to a loss of individual liberties, erosion of state sovereignty, and the potential rise of tyranny. The Anti-Federalists favoured a more decentralized form of government with greater protections for individual rights and stronger state representation. They believed that the states should have significant autonomy and independence in their authority, and that executive power should primarily rest with the country's authorities rather than a central government.
Ratification Debates
The debates over the ratification of the Constitution were passionate and sometimes violent. Both Federalists and Anti-Federalists held meetings and marches to gain support for their respective causes. The Federalists ultimately succeeded in gaining ratification, but they conceded to the Anti-Federalists' demands for a bill of rights, which led to the enactment of the Bill of Rights and the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
Trump's Oath: Did He Swear Allegiance to the Constitution?
You may want to see also
The Constitutional Convention of 1787
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that the young nation was on the brink of collapse due to the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, and the authority to print money. State disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.
The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, with delegates from 12 of the 13 original states. Rhode Island was the only state that declined to participate. The delegates, representing a wide range of interests and views, worked through a grueling summer of conflicting ideas and heated debates. Their original purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but they soon realized they shared two broader goals: to create a republican form of government and a new constitutional form of government.
The final vote on the Constitution took place on September 15, 1787. Edmund Randolph proposed that amendments be made by state conventions and then considered by another general convention, but this idea was rejected. On September 17, the delegates met for the last time, and Benjamin Franklin, through his colleague James Wilson, appealed for unity behind the Constitution. A total of 39 delegates signed the Constitution, with 38 signing on September 17 and one absent delegate, John Dickinson of Delaware, signing later through George Reed.
The new Constitution established a strong central government with an independent executive branch, including a president and vice president. The president was to be the commander-in-chief, with powers to appoint domestic officials, including Supreme Court judges, and veto legislative bills. The Constitution also introduced the concept of an electoral college, where citizens of each state would vote for electors who would then elect the president. The Judicial Branch, which included the Supreme Court, had little specific authority at this time.
Popular Sovereignty: Lecompton Constitution's Fate
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The influence of political philosophers
The US Constitution was influenced by several political philosophers and their theories. The Framers brought a coherent philosophy about the ends and means of government to their deliberations, which guided their decisions and shaped the Constitution. This philosophy incorporated three major political doctrines: natural rights, republicanism, and constitutionalism.
One of the most influential philosophers was John Locke, whose ideas about the purpose and limits of government were widely adopted. Locke argued that the purpose of government was to provide security for people's lives, liberties, and possessions. He believed that the authority of the government should be limited to actions necessary for accomplishing these tasks, and that political authority should be derived from the consent of the governed. Locke's ideas were a departure from traditional Western political thought, but they had become entrenched in American thinking by the eighteenth century and influenced the revolution and the Constitution that emerged from it.
Another influential philosopher was Thomas Paine, who wrote the popular pamphlet "Common Sense," distributed during the debates over revolution in the colonies. Paine's philosophy held that men are born and remain free and equal in their rights, and that political associations are created to preserve these rights. He also wrote "The Age of Reason," a critique of the Bible.
The French philosopher Auguste Comte elaborated on these ideas in his work, advocating for a "religion of humanity" ruled by bankers and technocrats, with a united Western republic. His ideas were influential among intellectuals, tackling questions about the role of technology and the decline of Christian beliefs.
The Founding Fathers were also influenced by the English philosopher John Stuart Mill, who argued for the freedoms of conscience and speech, and believed that even offensive opinions have value as they challenge widely held beliefs. This philosophy mirrors the US belief that the majority should rule while protecting the rights of the minority.
The Constitution was also shaped by the Anti-Federalists, who opposed a strong central government and advocated for state rights. They believed that Congress should be equal to any state legislature and that only the people in each state were sovereign. The Federalists, on the other hand, supported a strong central government and included figures such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, who believed that laws should be above individual rulers.
Executive Orders: Senate's Approval Needed?
You may want to see also
The ratification process
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the governing document. Representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, marking the beginning of the Constitutional Convention. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government but ultimately created a completely new form of government. The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates on September 17, 1787.
The tide turned in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The Constitution has since been amended 27 times, with 33 amendments approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification, and 27 of these amendments have been ratified and are now part of the Constitution.
Juries with Less Than 12 Members: Constitutional or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first written constitution of an independent polity was the 1755 Corsican Constitution, drafted by Pasquale Paoli.
The US's first constitution was the Articles of Confederation, which was in force since 1781.
The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn’t regulate commerce, or print money.
The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787. The final vote on the Constitution took place on September 15, 1787, and it was constructed on September 17, 1787.
