Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, establishing the government of the United States. The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 and was ratified by nine of the 13 existing 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 drafting | May 25, 1787–September 17, 1787 |
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Number of articles | 7 |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution | 11 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the USA | June 21, 1788 |
| Date the Constitution was ratified by all states | May 29, 1790 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was written and signed in 1787
- The Constitutional Convention of 1787
- The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution
- The US Constitution was inspired by the 1755 Corsican Constitution
- The US Constitution was ratified by all states in 1790
The US Constitution was written and signed in 1787
The delegates who assembled in May 1787 were committed to principles of equality articulated in the Declaration of Independence. However, they also faced contentious issues, including slavery and congressional representation. Despite these challenges, the delegates worked towards a compromise, recognising the need for a stronger central government. By mid-June, they had decided to move beyond revisions and create a new constitution, establishing a federal government with more defined powers.
The final draft of the Constitution was presented to the convention in September 1787, and on September 17, 39 delegates endorsed the document, with 38 signing and one delegate signing on behalf of an absent representative from Delaware. This act of signing symbolised their unanimous consent, reflecting their dedication to creating a unified nation. The Constitution then entered the ratification process, bypassing state legislatures and instead calling for special ratifying conventions in each state.
The US Constitution of 1787 stands as a landmark document, introducing a new form of government and serving as the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force worldwide. It embodies the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments in relation to the federal government. The Constitution's impact extended beyond the legal framework, shaping the country's identity and setting the stage for the emergence of the United States as a global power.
The Constitution and Healthcare: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
The Constitutional Convention of 1787
The convention was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send representatives. The delegates were chosen by their respective state legislatures, and they elected George Washington of Virginia, a former commanding general of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, as the president of the convention. James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York were also prominent figures who played a significant role in shaping the convention's agenda.
Initially, the convention's mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation and strengthening the central government. However, as discussions progressed, it became evident that a completely new framework of government was needed. The delegates debated and drafted the articles of the new Constitution in closed sessions throughout the summer. They grappled with critical issues such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, the representation of each state in Congress, and the election process for these representatives.
Slavery was another contentious issue, with delegates debating the inclusion of a fugitive slave clause, the potential abolition of the slave trade, and whether slaves would be counted in proportional representation. The Connecticut Compromise in mid-July 1787 helped resolve some of these disputes, paving the way for a draft that gained wider acceptance. The final version of the Constitution was produced by the Committee of Style in early September and was voted on by the delegates.
The resulting document, consisting of four pages, established the federal government of the United States and delineated its structure. It outlined the separation of powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution also addressed concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments in relation to the federal government and establishing the procedure for constitutional amendment.
Understanding Expressed Powers: Constitutional Foundations of Government
You may want to see also
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution
The US Constitution, drafted in 1787, is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution. It is a four-page document that was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States. The constitution delineates the frame of the federal government, which 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).
While there are older written constitutions, such as the Swedish Constitution of 1772 and the Constitution of San Marino of 1600, these were not adopted by bodies elected by the people. The US Constitution, on the other hand, was drafted by delegates chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states. The process of drafting the constitution, often referred to as its framing, took place at the Constitutional Convention in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, between May 25 and September 17, 1787.
The convention was initially intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had been ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, it soon became clear that the delegates would be drafting an entirely new frame of government. The chief points of debate were the amount of power to be given to the central government, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and how these representatives should be elected.
The US Constitution's status as the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution is significant, as it has provided a stable framework for the US government for over two centuries. It has been a model for other constitutions worldwide and has undergone a rigorous process of amendment to adapt to the changing needs of the nation.
While the US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution, some countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, have older constitutional provisions that are still in force. These countries have an "unwritten" constitution based on common law, practices, and various statutes, including the Magna Carta, which was written in the 13th century.
Samuel Adams: Life After the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US Constitution was inspired by the 1755 Corsican Constitution
The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was signed on September 17, 1787. It was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The four-page document established the government of the United States.
The US Constitution was inspired by many sources, including the thoughts of Locke and Montesquieu, the tradition of the British Constitution, and the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy. The American Constitution is often called the first written one, but the Corsican Constitution of 1755 preceded it by more than three decades.
The Corsican Constitution was drafted by Pasquale Paoli, who led the effort to free the Mediterranean island of Corsica from colonial control by Genoa. The island republic that resulted was reorganized from a colonial outpost to a representative democracy with a parliament. The Corsican Constitution was written in Italian and included various Enlightenment principles, such as universal male suffrage and female suffrage. It was short-lived, however, as the Kingdom of France revoked it when the island was taken over in 1769.
The Corsican Constitution's impact on the American patriots is evident in the naming of a New York militia group, which included Alexander Hamilton, as "The Corsicans." The group later changed its name to the "Hearts of Oak." The aspirations for Corsican independence and the democratic principles of the Corsican Republic were also revived by Paoli in the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom of 1794–1796.
The Constitution: Cursive or Printed Script?
You may want to see also
The US Constitution was ratified by all states in 1790
The US Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787 by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The convention was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been the first constitution of the United States. However, the delegates soon began working on a new constitution altogether. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and within three days, it was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation.
The new Constitution proposed a federal government divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. It also outlined the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship to the federal government. Under Article VII, the Constitution would not be binding until it was ratified by at least nine of the 13 states.
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 US government. However, it took until May 29, 1790, for the Constitution to be ratified by all 13 states, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The process of ratifying the Constitution was challenging, and several states voiced opposition to it, arguing that it did not adequately protect certain rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. To address these concerns, the Massachusetts Compromise was reached in February 1788, which stipulated that amendments would be proposed to protect these rights, resulting in the Bill of Rights.
Why Written Constitutions Matter: Stability and Clarity
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in 1787.
The US Constitution was ratified in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
Nine states had to approve the Constitution for it to be ratified.
The initial purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution of San Marino, established in 1600, is the oldest surviving constitution in the world.
