Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787 and is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Year | 1787 |
| Month | Summer |
| Presided by | George Washington |
| Number of States represented | 12 |
| Total Amendments | 27 |
| Current Status | Oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia
The delegates were a group of well-educated individuals, including lawyers, merchants, soldiers, and landowners. They worked in secret, abandoning the Articles of Confederation that had joined the states during the American Revolution. In their place, they drafted a constitution that established a stronger central government with powers such as printing money, collecting taxes, building an army, and regulating trade.
To prevent this new government from becoming too powerful, the framers divided its powers across three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This system, known as the separation of powers, gave each branch the authority to check and balance the others. The first three articles of the Constitution embody this doctrine, with each branch having distinct responsibilities.
The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The executive branch is led by the president and their subordinate officers, while the judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Constitution also outlines the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship with the federal government.
The process of writing the Constitution was not without opposition. Figures like Congregationalist minister and abolitionist Samuel Hopkins criticised the convention, arguing that it fell short of the ideals of liberty and equality. Some, like George Mason, expressed concern that the convention was rushing into establishing a central authority that could potentially be ruinous.
Despite these criticisms, the Constitution was ratified by each of the original 13 states between December 1787 and May 1790. It has since been amended 27 times to adapt to the changing needs of the nation. The original document, with its amendments, remains the oldest and longest-standing written national constitution in force in the world. It is preserved in the National Archives, where it can be viewed by the public in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
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It was written in 1787
The United States Constitution was written in 1787, and 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 in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787. The convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation, but it became clear by mid-June that the delegates would instead draft an entirely new frame of government.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States. The document was drafted in secret by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of that year. The convention was initially postponed due to a lack of quorum, as only the Virginia and Pennsylvania delegations were present on the opening day. Eventually, 12 states were represented, with Rhode Island refusing to participate.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic 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, their relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
The Constitution was under siege in the press by a series of essays signed "Cato" later in 1787. Alexander Hamilton and John Jay enlisted the help of Madison, and together they published a series of essays known as the Federalist Papers. These essays probed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and emphasized the need for a strong national government. Between December 1787 and May 1790, each of the original thirteen states called a convention to consider the Constitution, and it was ratified by all of them, including Vermont, which was not one of the original thirteen states.
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George Washington presided over the convention
The US Constitution was crafted during the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, the Federal Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, which took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 14 to September 17, 1787. George Washington presided over this convention as its elected president.
George Washington, who had led the Continental Army to victory during the Revolutionary War, was initially hesitant to attend the convention. However, he was eventually persuaded to participate, and his presence played a pivotal role in calming anxieties about the future of the fledgling nation. Washington was unanimously elected as the convention's president, a position that allowed him to maintain order and provide a deciding vote on various proposals.
Washington's leadership was essential in navigating the intense debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. He created an environment that facilitated compromise and consensus-building, allowing the delegates to forge a bold, new government. Washington's primary role was to oversee the process and ensure a harmonious atmosphere, even as he personally believed in the need for a strong central government and a single executive leader.
During the convention, Washington received correspondence from Alexander Hamilton, who expressed his fears about the potential disunion and anarchy that could threaten the young nation. In response, Washington emphasized the importance of a strong federal government and his satisfaction with the idea of a flexible Constitution that could be amended over time. Washington's support for the Constitution carried significant weight, making it challenging for Anti-Federalists to justify their opposition.
Following the convention, Washington actively advocated for the ratification of the Constitution. He sent copies of the document to key figures, including Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, and worked tirelessly to garner support. By June 1789, the required nine out of thirteen states had ratified the Constitution, and by May 29, 1790, every state had followed suit. Washington's leadership during the convention and his subsequent efforts were instrumental in shaping the foundation of the United States government.
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The delegates represented 12 of the 13 states
The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia, in what is now known as Independence Hall. On February 21, 1787, the Confederation Congress called a convention of state delegates to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation. The convention was intended to "render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union".
Eventually, 12 of the 13 states were represented at the convention, with Rhode Island refusing to participate. The delegates from each state met in a Committee of Eleven to work out a compromise on the issue of representation in the federal legislature. They agreed to a republican form of government, grounded in representing the people in the states.
The Constitution was drafted by a committee, with Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania as the chief architect. The document was then presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, and the delegates began to consider each section. The final vote on the Constitution took place on September 15, 1787, and it was subsequently ratified by the 13 states.
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The document is now held in the National Archives
The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, is now held in the National Archives. The document was originally handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. The spelling and punctuation of the original document have been preserved in the archived version.
The National Archives is home to several important documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. These three documents are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom and have secured the rights of American citizens for over two centuries. The Charters of Freedom are on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum.
The Rotunda, located on the upper level of the National Archives, was designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy. It features a soaring domed ceiling and two murals by Barry Faulkner, depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence. The original US Constitution is four pages long and is displayed alongside the other Charters of Freedom.
The National Archives also offers educational resources and facsimiles of the founding documents. These reproductions are available for purchase and can be used for educational purposes or to decorate homes and offices. The facsimiles are created on parchment paper and showcase the renovated Rotunda and the newly re-encased Charters of Freedom.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.
The US Constitution was written between May 25 and September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments.
The US Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government, with three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The US Constitution came into effect in 1789 after it was ratified by the necessary number of states.
