Simone Lawson
The ratification of the Constitution was a significant event in the history of the United States, occurring in 1787-1788. The process involved bypassing the state legislatures, as the founders believed that their members would be reluctant to relinquish power to a national government. The Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, with an additional signature by George Reed on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39. This marked a pivotal moment in the country's governance, as it replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a powerful central government. The ratification addressed concerns about the protection of individual liberties and the admission of slaveholding states to the federal union. It also played a role in encouraging people to vote for George Washington as the nation's first president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date signed | 17 September 1787 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| Number of delegates | 38 |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Date of convention | 25 May 1787 |
| Number of states represented | 13 |
| Original purpose | To amend the Articles of Confederation |
| Outcome | Proposal and creation of a new form of government |
| Previous governing document | The Articles of Confederation |
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What You'll Learn
The delegates who signed the Constitution
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but instead came up with a completely new form of government, creating a powerful central government. Representing a wide range of interests and views, they crafted compromises to address the different needs and concerns of the states.
Alexander Hamilton of New York led the call for a constitutional convention, recognising the need for a new governing document. The Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative, and delegates from across the states were invited to participate in the Convention.
The ratification of the Constitution was a significant moment in the history of the United States, marking a shift towards a more unified and centralised form of government. The delegates who signed the document played a pivotal role in this transition, and their contributions continue to shape the nation's political system to this day.
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The Articles of Confederation
New York's Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to re-evaluate the nation's governing document. The Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on 25 May 1787. The initial purpose of the convention was for the delegates to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, the ultimate outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government.
On 17 September 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, creating a powerful central government. George Reed signed for John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The delegates, who represented wildly different interests and views, crafted compromises to create a new form of government.
The founders set the terms for ratifying the Constitution, bypassing the state legislatures. They reasoned that the members of state legislatures would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. The Constitution stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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The role of Alexander Hamilton
The Confederation Congress was the group created to ratify the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton played a key role in this process.
Hamilton was a delegate from New York to the Confederation Congress in Philadelphia. He was appointed to this role in July 1782, and his term began in November of that year. Hamilton was a vocal critic of Congress, particularly its lack of power to collect taxes or demand money from the states. This weakness had made it difficult for the Continental Army to obtain provisions and pay its soldiers during and after the Revolutionary War. Hamilton's experience as an aide-de-camp during the war had shown him the difficulties of managing the country with a weak government.
In 1786, Hamilton led the Annapolis Convention, which sought to strengthen the power of the independent states over the limited authorities granted under the Articles of Confederation. The following year, he was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the U.S. Constitution, creating a more centralized federal national government. Hamilton was a driving force behind the proposal and creation of this new form of government. He then authored 51 of the 85 installments of *The Federalist Papers*, which proved persuasive in securing the ratification of the Constitution.
Hamilton also played a crucial role in encouraging New York to ratify the Constitution. He argued that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man, as that man would have to pass a religious test to become president, ensuring his good character. Hamilton further contended that a single leader could respond to crises more quickly than a group and that it was easier to control the actions of one man than those of a group.
Overall, Alexander Hamilton's role in the Confederation Congress and the ratification of the Constitution was significant. He was a strong advocate for a stronger, more centralized government and played a key role in shaping the future of the United States.
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The federal courts
The Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but instead, they created a powerful central government. The founders set the terms for ratifying the Constitution, bypassing the state legislatures as they believed their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government.
The district courts, also known as trial courts, are the first level of the federal court system. They handle a wide range of cases, including civil and criminal matters. These courts are where most federal cases begin, and they have original jurisdiction over a variety of issues, such as federal crimes, lawsuits between citizens of different states, and cases involving federal laws or the US Constitution.
The appellate courts, also known as the US Courts of Appeals, are the second level of the federal court system. They review decisions made by the district courts and have the authority to affirm, reverse, or remand cases back to the lower courts. The appellate courts play a crucial role in ensuring the consistent interpretation of federal laws and resolving disputes regarding the application of those laws.
The Supreme Court is the highest level of the federal court system and the final arbiter of federal law. It has original jurisdiction over a limited number of cases, such as disputes between states or cases involving ambassadors. The Supreme Court also has appellate jurisdiction, hearing appeals from lower federal courts and state courts on matters involving federal law. The decisions made by the Supreme Court set precedents that guide lower courts and shape the interpretation of the Constitution.
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The protection of individual liberties
The Confederation Congress was the group created to ratify the Constitution. The Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The Constitution was created to revise the existing government, but the delegates ended up creating a powerful central government. This was because they were wary of centralised power and loyal to their states. They crafted compromises to represent the wildly different interests and views of the states.
The Constitution was an attempt to create a stronger, more centralised government than the one outlined in the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country until that point. The Articles of Confederation had been tailored to a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, the Constitution did not guarantee the protection of individual liberties, which was a source of dissatisfaction for some.
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Frequently asked questions
The Confederation Congress.
Alexander Hamilton.
Philadelphia.
May 25, 1787.
To amend the Articles of Confederation.
