Isabella Carter
The US Constitution was written in 1787 to strengthen a federal government that many thought was too weak to hold the young nation together and to address disputes between states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. The Constitution was also intended to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. The opening words, We the People, represented a new thought: the idea that the people, not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty |
| Main Provisions | Seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government |
| Amendment Process | Two steps: proposal and ratification |
| Proposal Methods | By two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, or by national convention requested by two-thirds of state legislatures |
| Ratification Methods | Requires three-fourths of the states' approval (38 of 50): consent of state legislatures or consent of state ratifying conventions |
| Revision Process | Tasked with revising the existing government, the delegates came up with a completely new one, compromising to represent different interests and views |
| Key Figures | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Gouverneur Morris |
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What You'll Learn
To form a more perfect union
The US Constitution was written with the intention "to form a more perfect union". This phrase refers to the desire to unite a group of states with differing interests, laws, and cultures under a single federal government. The previous system, the Articles of Confederation, had given the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked the power to enforce these rules, regulate commerce, or print money. Disputes between the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young nation apart.
The phrase "We the People of the United States" represented a new idea: that the people, not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy. This was an important shift in thinking, as it placed the power of the union in the hands of the people. The Constitution was designed to act as a "colossal merger", bringing together these diverse states and their citizens under a single framework.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia in 1787, was originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that a completely new government design was needed. The delegates, representing a wide range of interests and views, engaged in heated debates over issues such as congressional representation and slavery. They ultimately compromised on issues such as representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as agreeing to postpone the abolition of the slave trade until 1808.
The Constitution's main provisions included seven articles that defined the basic framework of the federal government. It established justice, insured domestic tranquility, provided for the common defence, promoted the general welfare, and secured the blessings of liberty for the citizens of the United States. These goals reflected the framers' aspirations for their government and their way of life as a nation. The Constitution has stood the test of time and remains one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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Establish justice
The US Constitution was established to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one federal government. The Constitution's preamble, "We the People of the United States", highlights the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy.
The preamble also sets out six goals for the Constitution, one of which is to "establish Justice". This goal is realized through the judiciary, which acts as the institutional custodian of justice. The judiciary's power has evolved to include creating a system of Federal private law, joining Congress and Federal agencies in administering regulations, defining property and privacy rights, and ordering social remedies validated by statutes and the Constitution.
The Third Amendment (1791) is an example of the Constitution's role in establishing justice. It prohibits the federal government from forcing individuals to provide lodging to soldiers in their homes during peacetime without their consent. This amendment addressed the lingering resentment over the Quartering Acts passed by the British Parliament during the Revolutionary War, which allowed British soldiers to occupy private homes.
Additionally, the Fourth Amendment (1791) protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures of either self or property by government officials. This amendment ensures that individuals' privacy and property rights are respected by the government.
The Constitution's role in establishing justice is also reflected in the amendment process. Proposals to amend the Constitution must be properly adopted and ratified before they become part of the Constitution. This process ensures that any changes to the laws of the land are carefully considered and agreed upon by a majority of states, further promoting justice and fairness in the country.
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Insure domestic tranquility
The US Constitution was established to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one federal government. The Constitution's preamble sets the stage for the document, communicating the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document itself. It is not the law, but it introduces the highest law of the land.
The phrase "insure domestic tranquility" is one of the six goals outlined in the preamble. This goal of insuring domestic tranquility is integral to achieving a more perfect union and establishing justice. It implies that the Constitution seeks to create a peaceful and stable environment within the nation, fostering harmony among the citizens of the United States.
By insuring domestic tranquility, the framers aimed to prevent civil unrest, violence, and any threats to the peace and safety of the American people. This includes addressing issues such as gun violence, as mentioned in the LDAD's "Our Shattered Domestic Tranquility", which highlights the threat of white supremacist violence and mass shootings in the country.
The Constitution, through its provisions and amendments, provides a framework for dealing with such threats to domestic tranquility. For example, the Third Amendment prohibits the federal government from forcing individuals to house soldiers during peacetime, addressing the resentment over the Quartering Acts during the Revolutionary War. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, further ensuring their privacy and security.
The Constitution's focus on insuring domestic tranquility reflects the framers' desire to create a nation where citizens can live together peacefully, enjoying their rights and freedoms without fear of violence or civil disorder. Amendments to the Constitution, such as those mentioned, demonstrate the ongoing effort to uphold this goal in the face of evolving challenges.
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Provide for the common defence
The US Constitution was established to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under a single nation. The Constitution's preamble sets the stage for the document, communicating the intentions of its framers. One of the six goals of the Constitution is to "provide for the common defence".
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution instructs the Legislative Branch to "provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States". This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining a national fighting force. The Framers of the Constitution gave Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts and provide for the common defence.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an example of legislation that upholds this aspect of the Constitution. It restores fiscal discipline to the Defense Department, affirms the nation's commitment to military families, and ensures that the fighting forces have the necessary resources. The NDAA also includes a modest pay increase and extended bonus pay for service members, reflecting the country's pledge to honour their sacrifice and commitment.
The Third Amendment (1791) is another example of providing for the common defence. It prohibits the federal government from forcing individuals to provide lodging to soldiers in their homes during peacetime without their consent. This amendment addressed the lingering resentment over the Quartering Acts passed by the British Parliament during the Revolutionary War, which allowed British soldiers to occupy private homes.
In summary, the US Constitution's goal of "providing for the common defence" involves establishing a national defence force, allocating necessary resources, and respecting the rights of citizens during peacetime, all while ensuring the country's security and protection.
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Promote the general welfare
The US Constitution was established to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under one federal government. The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of this government.
The "General Welfare Clause" is a section that appears in many constitutions, statutes, and charters, allowing the governing body empowered by the document to enact laws that promote the general welfare of the people. This is sometimes referred to as public welfare.
The US Constitution's preamble identifies how "general welfare" differs from its meaning in a state constitution. Promoting "general welfare" means promoting national welfare. This is in contrast to promoting the welfare of an individual or faction, or a particular region, state, or local area. At the time of the Constitution's adoption, the national government was often referred to as the "general" government.
The General Welfare Clause has been interpreted differently by different authors of The Federalist essays. James Madison, for example, explained his narrow construction of the clause in Federalist No. 41, published in 1788. Madison disagreed with the idea that the power "to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States" amounted to an "unlimited commission to exercise every power".
The General Welfare Clause has been used as a basis for legislation promoting the health, safety, morals, and well-being of the people governed by it. For example, the Supreme Court interpreted the clause expansively in Helvering v. Davis, disavowing almost entirely any role for judicial review of Congressional spending policies. This conferred upon Congress a plenary power to impose taxes and spend money for the general welfare, subject to Congress's own discretion.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written to unite a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures under a federal government. It was also intended to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to the citizens.
America’s first constitution, 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 states’ disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart.
The founders set the terms for ratifying the Constitution, bypassing the state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacted the new government. The amendment process for the US Constitution involves proposals being adopted and ratified before they can change the Constitution.
