Omar Bennett
What Is the Constitution? by Patricia Brennan Demuth is a book that introduces young readers to the history behind the creation of the United States Constitution. Published by Who HQ, an educational series for children, it provides a behind-the-scenes look at the arguments and key players involved in drafting the Constitution. With 112 pages of narrative storytelling, Demuth brings to life the process of how the Constitution, a four-page document, came into being on September 17, 1787, four years after the American War for Independence.
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What You'll Learn
The story behind the United States Constitution
The United States Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is the supreme law of the United States of America and was signed on September 17, 1787, four years after the American War for Independence. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. Fifty-five men from almost all of the original 13 states fiercely argued for many months over what ended up being only a four-page document. 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 limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, which had been ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, delegates quickly began considering measures to replace the Articles.
The Constitution's 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 first ten amendments to the Constitution, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of the government within the U.S. states.
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The American War of Independence
Patricia Brennan Demuth's book "What Is the Constitution?" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the United States Constitution, which was signed four years after the American War of Independence. This war, also known as the Revolutionary War or the American Revolution, lasted from April 19, 1775, to September 3, 1783, and was an armed conflict between the British Army and American Patriot forces, also known as the Continental Army.
The Continental Congress, recognizing the need for unity, voted to incorporate colonial militias into a central military force, the Continental Army, under the command of George Washington. Despite this show of strength, the war's outcome remained uncertain for much of its duration. However, a decisive victory for the Continental Army at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 forced the British to negotiate.
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The Declaration of Independence
Patricia Brennan Demuth's book "What Is the Constitution?" provides a detailed and engaging narrative of how the United States Constitution came to be. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the arguments and issues that shaped this critical document, which was signed on September 17, 1787, just four years after the American War for Independence.
The book highlights the fierce debates among the Framers—the fifty-five men from the original thirteen states—who argued for months over the content of the Constitution. The result was a mere four-page document that laid out the supreme law of the land and served as a blueprint for the United States government.
Among the key players in these debates were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, who navigated the differences between the Northern and Southern states and the interests of big and little states. Their efforts resulted in a document that has stood the test of time, providing a framework for the country's governance.
The book is part of the Who HQ series, which includes other titles by Demuth such as "Who Was Bill Gates?", "What Was Ellis Island?", and "What Was Pearl Harbor?". "What Is the Constitution?" is praised for making history come alive for young readers, offering a clear understanding of why and how the Constitution was written. It is used in classrooms and libraries across the country, engaging students and providing valuable context for early American history.
Now, shifting our focus to the Declaration of Independence, we can explore how this pivotal document set the stage for the Constitution and the establishment of the United States as a free and independent nation. The Declaration of Independence, written in July 1776, marked the first time the thirteen American colonies officially declared their freedom from British rule. The colonies had grown weary of being governed from afar by Great Britain, and their desire for self-governance sparked the Revolutionary War.
In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the birth of a new nation and setting the stage for the creation of the United States Constitution. It exemplified the power of ideas and the determination of a people to shape their own destiny. The Constitution, which built upon the principles of the Declaration, provided the framework for a nation founded on liberty, self-governance, and the rule of law. Together, these documents continue to shape the American political system and inspire movements for freedom and democracy around the world.
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The Framers
The Constitution laid out the supreme law of the United States of America. It was a blueprint for the government that is easy to take for granted today. The Framers created a remarkable document that served as a framework for the United States, and their work provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the country's government.
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Key players: Madison, Hamilton, Washington
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington were key players in the creation of the United States Constitution. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, four years after the American War for Independence, and laid out the supreme law of the United States of America.
James Madison
James Madison (1751–1836) was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is popularly acclaimed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Madison was dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, so he helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly. Leading up to the 1787 ratification debates for the Constitution, Madison worked with other members of the Virginia delegation to create and present the Virginia Plan, an outline for a new federal constitution. He also helped write the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, a collection of 85 essays explaining the significance of the Constitution to persuade states to ratify it.
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton played a somewhat limited role in creating the Constitution, as his plan was not adopted. However, he was instrumental in the Constitution's ratification and interpretation when he led the collaboration with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers. Hamilton was only 30 years old when he was selected to serve as one of New York's delegates at the Constitutional Convention. He was no fan of the Articles of Confederation, as he saw the difficulties of managing the country with a weak government. He preferred a constitutional monarchy with a stronger federal government that had the power to tax, have a bank, and have a strong executive.
George Washington
George Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention. Although he originally did not want to be involved in creating the Constitution, he provided guidance and direction to the 55 state delegates who gathered in Philadelphia to debate the future of the United States. Washington helped forge consensus and kept the delegates focused on their task, allowing them to reach the compromises necessary to create a new government. He mainly participated to keep order and provide a deciding vote on various proposals, staying relatively quiet and not allowing his bias towards a strong central government and a single executive leader to sway the other delegates.
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Frequently asked questions
"What is the Constitution" by Patricia Brennan Demuth is a levelled book for middle-grade readers (8-12). It is a simple and clear introduction to the history of the United States Constitution.
"What is the Constitution" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the United States Constitution. It covers the arguments and revisions that took place, the key players involved, and the context of the time. The book also highlights how the Constitution laid out the supreme law of the United States of America.
Patricia Brennan Demuth is the author of several Who HQ titles, including "Who Was Bill Gates?", "What Was Ellis Island?", "What Was Pearl Harbor?", and "Who Was Charlie Chaplin?". She has a knack for making history come alive for young readers and has written several books for children.
