Isabella Carter
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, was intended to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and were inadequate for governing the young nation. The Constitution introduced a powerful central government, with a system of checks and balances, and protected individual liberties through a Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Completely new form of government | Powerful central government |
| Ratification | Ratification by 9 of the 13 states |
| Checks and balances system | Support of commercial interests, men of property, and creditors |
| Bill of Rights | 10 amendments |
| First Amendment: freedom of speech and religion | |
| Second Amendment | |
| Fourth Amendment: protection from unreasonable government intrusion | |
| Ninth Amendment: protection of rights not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution | |
| Tenth Amendment: powers not delegated to the US are reserved for the states or the people |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution was intended to replace the Articles of Confederation
The Constitution of the United States was intended to replace the Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the new nation. The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and established a "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states. However, in the years following the Revolutionary War, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that their young country was on the brink of collapse. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the authority to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, and the power to print money. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.
In May 1787, the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. The convention was tasked with revising the existing government, but the delegates soon decided to create a completely new form of government. They sought to establish a powerful central government with a wide range of enforceable powers, addressing the weaknesses of the weaker Congress established by the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution introduced the separation of powers into three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This ensured that power would not be concentrated in a single branch.
The Constitution also gave the federal government greater control over money and taxes. It allowed Congress to regulate interstate commerce and prohibited states from creating their own currency. Additionally, it granted the federal government the authority to tax individuals, a power that was lacking under the Articles of Confederation. The new constitution bypassed the state legislatures, calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states was required to enact the new government, and the process ignored the amendment provision of the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of all states.
The Constitution was supported by the Federalists, who believed in the necessity of a strong central government to face the nation's challenges. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution due to their concerns about centralized power and the lack of a bill of rights. The ratification process was highly contested, with passionate debates taking place across the states. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists represented opposing views, and the outcome of the ratification votes in several states, including Massachusetts, played a crucial role in securing the eventual enactment of the new government.
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The Federalists supported the Constitution
The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation’s challenges. They were wary of centralized power and loyal to their states, but they also wanted a powerful central government that could address the country's issues. The Federalists were well-organised and well-funded, and they included some of the most talented leaders of the time, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. They also had the support of most newspapers, which helped spread their message.
The Federalists' support for the Constitution was driven by their belief that America’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was inadequate. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, and couldn't print money. The states’ disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart. The Federalists wanted to replace the weaker Congress established by the Articles of Confederation with an effective central government that had a wide range of enforceable powers.
The drafting of the Constitution took place at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The convention's initial mandate was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates quickly began considering measures to replace them. The Federalists supported proposals such as the Virginia Plan, which called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress that would be elected on a proportional basis based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch.
The Federalists faced opposition from the Anti-Federalists, who fought against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had just overthrown, and because it lacked a bill of rights. The ratification process was a closely contested affair, with the Federalists needing to convert at least three states to their cause. The debate over the Constitution played out in newspapers across the country, with the Federalists using the printed word to their advantage. Ultimately, the Federalists were successful in getting the Constitution ratified by the required nine out of 13 states, and it came into effect as a completely new form of government.
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The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution
The Constitution of the United States was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. The delegates had gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, they soon decided to completely redesign the government. The Anti-Federalists, who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, emerged as a powerful force during this time. They were chiefly concerned with the centralisation of power and believed that the new Constitution gave the federal government too much power at the expense of the states. This reminded them of the government they had just overthrown.
The Anti-Federalists included small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and labourers. They favoured strong state governments, a weak central government, the direct election of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, accountability by officeholders to popular majorities, and the strengthening of individual liberties. They believed that the Constitution lacked a bill of rights to protect these liberties. Notable Anti-Federalists included Virginia's George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Richard Henry Lee; Massachusetts's Samuel Adams, Elbridge Gerry, and Mercy Otis Warren; and New York's Robert Yates, who wrote a series of influential essays under the pen name "Brutus".
The Anti-Federalists' opposition to the Constitution was a significant factor in the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Their concerns about the power of the federal government led to the inclusion of the First Amendment and the other nine amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights. The ratification campaign was a close contest, with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists both passionately advocating for their respective visions of the country. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, argued for a stronger national government, while the Anti-Federalists defended a vision of America rooted in powerful states.
The Anti-Federalists faced an uphill battle during the ratification process. While many Americans agreed that the Articles of Confederation had serious problems, the Anti-Federalists lacked a concrete alternative plan. This made it easy for the Federalists to frame the debate as a choice between the new Constitution and the flawed Articles of Confederation. Despite this challenge, the Anti-Federalists almost won, and their opposition played a crucial role in shaping the final form of the Constitution and the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
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The Constitution was influenced by Enlightenment rationalism
The US Constitution was influenced by Enlightenment rationalism in several ways. The philosophical movement of the Enlightenment, which began in the early 18th century, promoted a wide range of social and political ideals, including natural law, liberty, progress, toleration, fraternity, constitutional government, and the separation of church and state. These ideals informed the drafting of the Constitution, which was completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
One of the most notable influences of Enlightenment rationalism on the Constitution is the concept of natural rights. According to Enlightenment philosopher John Locke, individuals inherently possess certain rights, such as life, liberty, and property, which are not granted by governments but are inherent to human existence. This idea is deeply embedded in the Constitution, which establishes the protection of these rights as the primary role of the government.
Another key influence of Enlightenment rationalism on the Constitution is the system of checks and balances. This system, influenced by the writings of Montesquieu, was designed to maintain equilibrium within the federal government and prevent any one branch from accumulating excessive power. Each branch of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—wields its own authority while also having the ability to limit the powers of the other branches, thus protecting individual liberties and ensuring a dynamic and resilient political structure.
The principle of popular sovereignty, which is fundamental to Enlightenment thought, is also reflected in the Constitution. This principle asserts that ultimate power rests not with a monarch or a select group but with the people themselves. The Constitution embodies this philosophy by establishing a government that exists to serve its citizens and derives its legitimacy from their consent. Regular elections, as outlined in the Constitution, provide a means for citizens to directly influence their government by selecting their leaders, ensuring a government that is responsive and accountable to the will of the people.
Additionally, the Constitution's embedding of the Rule of Law reflects the Enlightenment ideal of a just society governed by established and transparent laws rather than the whims of individuals. This framework promotes stability, predictability, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, including economic freedom. The writings of Adam Smith, a prominent member of the Scottish Enlightenment, influenced the Constitution's support for free markets and minimal government interference in economic affairs, shaping America's economic landscape.
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The Constitution was ratified by 9 of the 13 states
The Constitution of the United States of America was drafted and signed on September 17, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The convention was assembled to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had been America's first constitution. However, the delegates soon decided to completely redesign the government, creating a powerful central government.
The new Constitution was then submitted to the Congress of the Confederation, which was sitting in the temporary capital of New York City. On September 28, the members of Congress voted unanimously to forward the proposal to the thirteen states for their ratification. This process ignored the amendment provision of the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of all the states. Instead, under Article VII of the proposed Constitution, ratification by just nine of the thirteen states was required to enact the new government.
The ratification process was a challenging one, with two factions emerging: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The Federalists believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges, while the Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had just overthrown, and that it lacked a bill of rights.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The remaining four states eventually ratified the Constitution as well, with Rhode Island being the last to approve the document on May 29, 1790.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution embraced the ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment and the writings of Enlightenment rationalists, such as David Hume. It also embraced the notion of a powerful central government, which was a point of contention for the Anti-Federalists.
The US Constitution was intended to replace the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, and the power to print money.
A key point of contention was the level of power given to the central government, with Anti-Federalists arguing that it reminded them of the government they had just overthrown. Another issue was the lack of a bill of rights, which was later addressed through the addition of ten amendments.
