Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in use, came into force on March 4, 1789, when the government officially implemented it. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 and was signed on September 17, 1787. It established the government of the United States, outlining the framework of the federal government and the separation of powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution's journey to ratification was long and challenging, with intense debates and redrafting of its articles. The document faced opposition from some states due to concerns over insufficient protection of certain rights and freedoms. However, it gradually gained ratification, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth of 13 states to ratify it on June 21, 1788. The first federal elections under the Constitution were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, resulting in George Washington being elected as the first President.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of inception | 1787 |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Date ratified | March 4, 1789 |
| Date all states ratified | May 29, 1790 |
| Date Bill of Rights ratified | 1791 |
| Date of first federal elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date of first presidential election | January 10, 1789 |
| First President | George Washington |
| First Vice President | John Adams |
| Number of original articles | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was signed on September 17, 1787. The signing of the Constitution established the government of the United States.
The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Articles of Confederation were inadequate, and it became clear that a stronger, more centralized government was required for future stability. 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, with the final document consisting of four pages.
The Constitution delineates the frame of the federal government, with its first three articles embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers. 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 also describes the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
The Constitution was ratified by the states between 1788 and 1790. On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government officially began on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President. The Bill of Rights was ratified at the end of 1791.
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It superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Articles of Confederation were drafted to govern a newly formed nation made up of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became apparent to America's leaders that long-term stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The Federal Convention first convened in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the Convention would draft an entirely new framework of government. The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution, with the final document being signed on September 17, 1787.
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 Constitution's remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified until the end of the following year. The Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in use, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country until then. The Constitution established the framework of the federal government, dividing it into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
The journey to ratification was challenging, and even after it was achieved, the U.S. did not function as it does today for several years. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document. The Bill of Rights, which addressed concerns about the absence of protections for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, was ratified in 1791. This was a significant step in ensuring individual liberties and addressing the fears of anti-Federalists, who worried that the new government would be dominated by the wealthy and culturally refined families.
The Bill of Rights became an integral part of the Constitution, guaranteeing essential freedoms and shaping the future of the nation. The process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, was a collaborative effort that involved debate, compromise, and a shared desire to create a stronger, more centralized government. The influence of political philosophers such as Blackstone, Hume, Locke, and Montesquieu was also significant in shaping the ideas that underpinned the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, was a pivotal moment in American history, solidifying the rights and liberties of its citizens and serving as a foundation for the nation's future growth and development. It ensured that the government respected and upheld fundamental freedoms, addressing the concerns of those who sought to protect individual rights. This ratification demonstrated the commitment of the founding fathers to establishing a nation founded on principles of liberty and justice.
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The Constitution established the separation of powers
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, came into force on March 4, 1789. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution.
The separation of powers was influenced by political philosophers such as Blackstone, Hume, Locke, and Montesquieu, who was advocated for by James Madison. The Framers of the Constitution created a powerful national government with the ability to effectively rule the country. They borrowed ideas from ancient and existing governments and embraced various political science theories.
The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the relationships between the branches of government. For example, Article I, Section 7 requires that legislation passed by Congress be presented to the President for signature or veto before becoming law. The Vesting Clause of Article III states that the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in the Supreme Court and inferior courts established by Congress.
The separation of powers is further clarified by court rulings, such as McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819, which established that states cannot impede on valid constitutional exercises of power by the federal government. The Supreme Court has also played a significant role in interpreting and enforcing the separation of powers, as seen in cases like Marbury v. Madison, which affirmed the supremacy of the Constitution over conflicting federal laws.
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The journey to ratification was long and arduous
The American Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, came into force on March 4, 1789. The journey to ratification was long and arduous.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, establishing the government of the United States. The Federal Convention first convened in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. However, it soon became clear that rather than amending the existing Articles, a new framework of government was needed.
The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer of 1787. They grappled with questions such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, the number of representatives each state should have in Congress, and how these representatives should be elected. The final document was a compromise that embodied the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
Even after the signing of the Constitution in 1787, the road to ratification was not straightforward. The Constitution faced opposition from some states, which argued that it did not adequately protect individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Massachusetts Compromise of February 1788 addressed these concerns by stipulating that amendments would be proposed to that effect, resulting in the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution was gradually ratified by the required number of states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth of 13 states to ratify it on June 21, 1788. However, it was not until May 29, 1790, that Rhode Island approved the document, marking the ratification of the Constitution by all states. The Bill of Rights was ratified the following year, and the capital was established on July 16, 1790. Thus, the journey to the full ratification and implementation of the American Constitution spanned several years, with ongoing negotiations and compromises along the way.
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Frequently asked questions
The American Constitution came into force on March 4, 1789.
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.
The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 and was signed on September 17, 1787. It was ratified by the states between 1788 and 1790, with Rhode Island being the last state to approve the document on May 29, 1790.
The Constitution was based on the ideas of political philosophers such as Blackstone, Hume, Locke, and Montesquieu. It was also influenced by the Magna Carta and the writings of "Enlightenment rationalism" and English common law.
The American Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
