Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, was signed on September 17, 1787, and superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789. The four-page document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 and established the government of the United States. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Date of superseding the Articles of Confederation | March 4, 1789 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Date of adoption | 1787 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The US Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, was signed on September 17, 1787. It is a four-page document that establishes the framework of the federal government of the United States. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer, discussing and debating how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. Articles that have been amended still include the original text, although provisions repealed by amendments are usually bracketed or italicised to indicate they no longer apply. Despite these changes, the focus of each Article remains the same as when they were adopted in 1787. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, in which the federal government is divided 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 Constitution did not go into effect immediately after it was signed by the delegates. It needed to be approved by the people through the ratification process. Article VII of the Constitution established that ratification by the conventions of nine states would be sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, and the Confederation Congress established March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating a new government under the Constitution.
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It superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the country, superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789. This date marks a significant turning point in American history as it established the framework for the federal government that remains in place today.
The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, were the first governing document of the United States after it gained independence from Britain. However, they were widely seen as ineffective and weak, providing a loose confederation of states with limited powers. The federal government established by the Articles had no power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws, leading to a period of economic and political instability.
Recognizing the need for a stronger central government, delegates from across the country gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 for the Constitutional Convention. The convention resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, which outlined a federal system with a strong central government and a division of powers between the states and the national government.
The Constitution was then sent to the states for ratification, and on September 17, 1787, the document was signed by a majority of the delegates, establishing a new form of government for the nation. However, it wasn't until enough states had ratified the Constitution that it superseded the Articles of Confederation and became the operative framework of the US government. That date was March 4, 1789, when the first federal government under the Constitution took office, with George Washington being sworn in as the first President of the United States.
This date marked a new era in American history, with the Constitution providing a stable and effective framework for governance. It established a federal system with a clear division of powers, checks and balances, and a system of representation that has endured and been refined over the subsequent centuries. The Constitution has since been amended numerous times, but the core principles established on March 4, 1789, continue to shape American democracy and its system of government.
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The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates
The United States Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787 and signed on September 17, 1787. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government.
James Madison voted in favor of secrecy, believing that a constitution would never have been created had delegates not had the opportunity to consider issues and change their minds without the pressure of public opinion. Madison wanted to create a new government, rather than fix the present one, and bolster the authority of the federal government to be able to tax, regulate commerce, and resolve conflicts between the states. He and Alexander Hamilton created a model of government that relied upon a series of checks and balances by dividing federal authority between the Legislative, the Judicial, and the Executive branches.
Madison's Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 are likely the most complete first-person record of the convention, along with notes kept by Yates through mid-July. Due to the delegates' pledge to secrecy, Madison's account was not published until after his death in 1836. Yates' notes on the convention's first two months were published in 1821.
Thomas Jefferson, who disagreed with Madison, wrote to John Adams, the U.S. Minister to Great Britain:
> [I am] sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can justify this example but the innocence of their intentions, and ignorance of the value of public discussions.
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It establishes the framework of the federal government
The United States Constitution, the country's foundational document, was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This important milestone in American history established the framework for the federal government, outlining its structure and powers, and setting forth the rights and freedoms that would define the nation.
The Constitution created a federal system of government, with a strong central government balanced by state governments, each with their own sphere of influence. It established three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with distinct and separate powers and responsibilities. This separation of powers was designed to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch and to provide a system of checks and balances.
The legislative branch, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is tasked with making laws. The executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for enforcing those laws and conducting the country's day-to-day management. The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, interprets the laws and ensures that the other branches adhere to the Constitution.
The Constitution also outlines the powers of the federal government, including the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, declare war, and establish a postal service. It grants the federal government supremacy over state laws and provides for the admission of new states. Additionally, it sets forth a process for amending the Constitution, recognizing that the nation's laws must evolve with the times.
The document's first three articles are dedicated to outlining the structure and powers of these three branches, emphasizing their importance in maintaining a stable and effective government. By delineating their respective roles and responsibilities, the Constitution ensures a balanced distribution of power, safeguarding against tyranny and promoting democratic principles.
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The document was four pages long
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the country, was signed on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document that emerged from the convention and was signed on that day consisted of four pages.
The four-page document was the result of a summer of intense debate and compromise by the Founding Fathers, who sought to create a framework of government that balanced federal and state powers while protecting the natural rights of its citizens. The Constitution has since been amended many times, but the original four-page document laid the foundation for American democracy and continues to shape the country's legal and political systems.
The length of the Constitution is often seen as a testament to the Founding Fathers' dedication to creating a concise and clear framework for the nation's government. At the time, they likely had no idea that the document would grow and evolve to accommodate the needs of a changing nation. Yet, the Constitution's brevity also meant that it required additional clarification and interpretation, leading to a rich history of legal scholarship and debate.
The four pages of the Constitution are divided into seven articles, which outline the structure and powers of the three branches of the federal government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The first three articles establish the roles and responsibilities of the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (the President), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court), respectively.
In addition to the articles, the original four-page Constitution included a preamble, which sets forth the purposes and goals of the document, as well as a signing section where the delegates present at the convention signed their names to indicate their agreement and support. It is a remarkable fact that such a short document has had such a profound and lasting impact on the history and development of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution came into effect on March 4, 1789, after it was ratified by nine states.
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It established the government of the United States and outlines the basic framework of the federal government.
