Isabella Carter
In 1789, the US Constitution was ratified, marking a significant step towards establishing a stronger, more centralized federal government. This came after years of debate and efforts by leaders such as Alexander Hamilton, who advocated for a constitutional convention to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution laid out a system of government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—each with specific powers and checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power. The First Congress proposed 12 amendments, with 10 being ratified in 1791, now known as the Bill of Rights, outlining Americans' fundamental rights and liberties. The amendments addressed concerns over individual freedoms and represented a compromise between large and small states, shaping the foundation of the American political system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| First ten Amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date of first federal elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date of official implementation of the Constitution | March 4, 1789 |
| First President | George Washington |
| First Vice President | John Adams |
| Number of amendments proposed by Madison | 17 |
| Number of amendments proposed by Congress | 12 |
| Number of amendments ratified | 10 |
| Date of ratification of amendments | December 15, 1791 |
| Date Congress began to fill in details of the judiciary act | 1789 |
| Number of amendments to the Constitution | 27 |
| Name of the first several Constitutional amendments considered and proposed by Congress | The Congressional Apportionment Amendment |
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What You'll Learn
The first Congress proposed 12 amendments
The US Constitution is the foundation of the American government, outlining the system of government and the rights of the American people. It has three parts: the Preamble, the Articles, and the Amendments. The first ten Amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
The First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution on September 25, 1789. Ten of these amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791, and are now known as the Bill of Rights. These ratified amendments constitute Articles 3–12 of the Constitution. Article 2 was ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment, and Article 1 was never ratified.
The 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the amendments is on display in the Rotunda in the National Archives Museum. The First Congress thus set a precedent for the practice of leaving the original text and all prior amendments of the Constitution untouched.
The amendments were proposed to address concerns over the lack of protections for people's rights. The Federalists promised that if the Constitution was adopted, amendments would be added to secure individual liberties. The anti-Federalists' position collapsed, and New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788.
The first Congress also passed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which began to fill in details regarding the judicial powers outlined in the Constitution.
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Ten of these were ratified, becoming the Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution is the foundation of the American government. It outlines the system of government and the rights of the American people. The Constitution has three parts: the Preamble, the Articles, and the Amendments.
The first ten Amendments are called the Bill of Rights. In 1789, Congress considered and proposed the first several Constitutional amendments. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. Ten of these were ratified on December 15, 1791, becoming the Bill of Rights. These ratified Articles (Articles 3–12) constitute the first ten amendments of the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights was not without its challenges. Before the American Revolutionary War, each state had its own constitution. After the war, the states joined together to set up a Federal Government under the Articles of Confederation. However, this form of government was weak, and it became clear that a stronger, more centralized government was needed.
The journey to ratifying the Constitution was long and arduous. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the Constitution became the official framework of the government on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
The Bill of Rights was born from the Massachusetts Compromise, with Congress adopting twelve amendments on September 25, 1789, to send to the states for ratification.
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The Connecticut Compromise was adopted
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was adopted by the delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It proposed a bicameral legislature, with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The Compromise aimed to address the conflicting interests of large and small states regarding representation in Congress.
The large states, with larger populations, argued for representation based on population, while the smaller states wanted equal representation. The Connecticut Compromise proposed proportional representation in the lower house (the House of Representatives) and equal representation in the upper house (the Senate), giving each state two senators. This compromise ensured that both large and small states had a voice in the new government.
The Connecticut Compromise was a significant step in the creation of the United States Constitution. It helped to alleviate the concerns of smaller states, which feared being overshadowed by their larger counterparts. By guaranteeing each state equal representation in the Senate, the Compromise encouraged the smaller states to support the adoption of the Constitution.
The Compromise was also important because it contributed to the establishment of a system of checks and balances in the US government. The bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives and the Senate having different representation principles, provided a balance of power between the states and the people. This design ensured that no single group or interest could dominate the legislative process.
Additionally, the Connecticut Compromise set a precedent for compromise and negotiation in the development of the Constitution. It demonstrated that the founding fathers were willing to find middle ground and accommodate diverse interests to create a more perfect union. This spirit of compromise would continue to shape the Constitution as it evolved over time.
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The slave trade was protected
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the American Government. It outlines the system of government and the rights of the American people. The Constitution has three parts: the Preamble, the Articles, and the Amendments. The first ten Amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
In 1789, Congress considered and proposed the first several Constitutional amendments. The Congressional Apportionment Amendment, proposed in 1789, would establish a formula for determining the appropriate size of the House of Representatives and the apportionment of representatives among the states following each constitutionally mandated decennial census.
In 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention debated the issue of slavery. They agreed that the United States would potentially cease the importation of slaves in 1808. The delegates agreed to protect the slave trade for 20 years to satisfy interests in the South, particularly in Georgia and South Carolina. Slavery was further protected by allowing states to count three-fifths of their slaves as part of their populations for representation in the federal government. The Fugitive Slave Clause required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they were captured in states where slavery had been abolished.
The Slave Trade Clause, also known as the Importation of Persons Clause, did not explicitly mention slavery or slaves. Instead, it stated that Congress could not prohibit the "importation" of persons before 1808. This clause was included in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution. The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves was passed in 1807 and took effect on January 1, 1808. This legislation made it illegal for Americans to engage in the slave trade and imposed heavy penalties on international traders.
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The US judicial system was outlined
The US Constitution is the foundation of the American government. It outlines the system of government and the rights of the American people. The Constitution has three parts: the Preamble, the Articles, and the Amendments.
The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. Before this, each state had its own constitution. The Constitution created a federal government with three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial.
The first Congress also proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution in 1789, known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were designed to secure individual liberties and address concerns raised by anti-Federalists. Ten of these amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791, and became the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.
Additionally, the Congressional Apportionment Amendment was proposed in 1789 to establish a formula for determining the size of the House of Representatives and the apportionment of representatives among the states following the decennial census. However, this amendment fell one state short of the number needed for ratification and has never been ratified since.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the American Government. It outlines the system of government and the rights of the American people.
In 1789, Congress considered and proposed the first several Constitutional amendments. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified on December 15, 1791, and are known as the Bill of Rights.
The amendments were about securing individual liberties. The first ten Amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights is made up of the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.
The Congressional Apportionment Amendment, proposed in 1789, would have established a formula for determining the size of the House of Representatives and the apportionment of representatives among the states following each constitutionally mandated decennial census.
