Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was written during the summer of 1787 and signed on September 17, 1787. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789, and became the official framework of the government of the United States of America on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Written | May 25, 1787 – September 17, 1787 |
| Date Signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Date Ratified | June 21, 1788 |
| Location Written | Philadelphia |
| Number of Pages | 4 |
| Number of Articles | 7 |
| Number of Amendments | 17 |
| First 10 Amendments | The Bill of Rights |
| Date of First Federal Elections | December 15, 1788 – January 10, 1789 |
| Date of New Government | March 4, 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was written in 1787, making it the oldest constitution still in use
- It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution
- The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention
- The Constitution established the government of the United States
- It outlines the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
The US Constitution was written in 1787, making it the oldest constitution still in use
The United States Constitution, written in 1787, is the oldest constitution still in use. It is also the shortest national constitution. The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The delegates 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, which had been ineffective in meeting the needs of the young nation. However, the delegates soon began considering measures to replace the Articles entirely. The first proposal, introduced by delegates from Virginia, called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch. This proposal, known as the Virginia Plan, was debated alongside an alternative, the New Jersey Plan, which retained the existing legislative structure.
The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer, with the chief points of contention being the power of the central government, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and how these representatives should be elected. The resulting document, signed on September 17, 1787, established the government of the United States and put governance in the hands of the people.
The Constitution of the United States has served as a source of wisdom and inspiration, surviving civil war, economic depressions, and other challenges. It has been strengthened by amendments and remains a vital and living document that guides and protects US citizens and their elected officials.
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It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was signed on September 17, 1787, and superseded the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the nation, on March 4, 1789. The Articles of Confederation, adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, served as the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.
The Articles of Confederation, consisting of a preamble, thirteen articles, a conclusion, and a signatory section, established a "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retained "every Power...which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States." The Articles also outlined a Congress with representation not based on population, with each state holding one vote. Ratification by all 13 states was necessary to set the Confederation into motion.
The Articles of Confederation were in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789, when the present-day Constitution came into effect. The Federal Convention convened in the State House in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, through discussion and debate, it became clear by mid-June that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the Convention would draft an entirely new framework of government.
The Constitution, a four-page document, established the government of the United States. It originally included seven articles, delineating the framework of the federal government. The 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 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.
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The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention
The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The Federal Convention convened in the State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates, however, decided to draft an entirely new framework of government, which would later become the United States Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, who were determined to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. They advocated for strengthening the federal government's authority to tax, regulate commerce, and resolve conflicts between states. The delegates also addressed federalism, the relationship between the federal government and the states. The convention was initially supposed to be a "general convention," but due to the delegates' desire for a new government, they rejected the Articles of Confederation and produced the first written constitution in the world.
The delegates took a vow of secrecy, sealing windows and closing curtains during the convention. They passed rules, such as requiring a quorum of seven or more states and limiting each member to addressing the president no more than twice. The rule of secrecy was taken seriously, as they wanted to prevent misrepresentations and mistakes. James Madison, who voted for secrecy, believed that "opinions were so various and at first so crude that it was necessary they should be long debated before any uniform system of opinion should be formed." He also thought that without secrecy, a constitution might never have been created, as the delegates needed the freedom to consider issues and change their minds without the influence of public opinion.
The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer. They discussed crucial issues such as the power granted to the central government, the number of representatives each state would have in Congress, and how these representatives would be elected. The final draft of the Constitution, consisting of approximately 4,500 words on four pages, was submitted to the people of the states for approval. The absence of a bill of rights was a significant objection, but supporters promised to quickly work on adding one, which eventually led to the addition of the original Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments.
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The Constitution established the government of the United States
The United States Constitution, written in 1787, established the government of the United States. It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the convention, who were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states; Rhode Island refused to send delegates.
The convention's initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, which had been in force since 1781. However, it soon became clear that the delegates intended to draft an entirely new frame of government. 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 remaining articles of the Constitution (Articles IV, V, and VI) 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. Article VII establishes the procedure used by the 13 states to ratify the Constitution.
The Constitution stands as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise, with delegates debating and redrafting the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer of 1787. Among the chief points at issue were how much power to grant the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected—directly by the people or by state legislators.
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It outlines the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
The separation of powers is a foundational principle within the US political system, and it is a concept that can be traced back to the Constitution, which was drafted in 1787. This principle is a cornerstone of the Constitution, and it establishes a system of checks and balances, dividing the powers of the federal government into three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The legislative branch is responsible for making laws and is comprised of Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. This branch is tasked with the power to levy taxes, declare war, and regulate commerce. The legislative branch is designed to be the closest to the people, with members of the House being elected every two years, and senators serving six-year terms.
The executive branch is headed by the President, who is both the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws created by the legislative branch, and it has the power to veto legislation, as well as the authority to appoint federal judges and other officials. The President is elected every four years, along with the Vice President, who is also part of the executive branch.
The judicial branch interprets the laws and is made up of the federal court system, with the Supreme Court at its head. This branch has the power to review the constitutionality of laws and can strike down those that it deems violate the Constitution. Federal judges are appointed for life, ensuring that this branch remains independent of the political process.
By dividing the powers of the federal government in this way, the Constitution's authors aimed to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch, thus safeguarding against tyranny and ensuring a balanced and stable government. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, as well as limitations, and they are designed to be interdependent, with a system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful. This separation of powers has been a key feature of the US political system for over two centuries and continues to shape the way the country is governed today.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in 1787 during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates present.
The US Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
