Jonah Patel
The US Constitution was influenced by many people, from Enlightenment thinkers to the Founding Fathers themselves. John Locke's ideas about natural rights and government by consent laid the groundwork for modern democracy, while Montesquieu's doctrine of the separation of powers was another cornerstone. The Founding Fathers drew from their experiences with British rule and sought to create a government free from the pitfalls of monarchies and centralized systems. They wanted to insulate their new republic from foreign influence and old alliances, so they built in safeguards against foreign corruption and gave Congress the power to impeach a president. George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, and George Mason were also key players in the creation of the Constitution, each bringing their own ideas about the role of government in the new nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Key Players | George Washington, James Madison, William Paterson, James Wilson, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, George Mason, John Dickinson, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris |
| Influence of Previous Governing Systems | The Magna Carta, state constitutions, previous forms of government |
| Philosophical Influences | Enlightenment thinkers, John Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire |
| Foreign Influence | Safeguards against foreign influence were built into the Constitution due to fears of corruption |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's vision for a stronger union
George Washington, known for his vision for a stronger union, played a significant role in the creation of the United States Constitution. He was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention, providing a sense of focus and direction to the 55 delegates who came together to make small changes to their government, ultimately creating a new one.
Washington's presence and oversight of the debate were instrumental in shaping the Constitution. He had a strong commitment to the American nation and its unification under Enlightenment principles. As commander-in-chief, retired general, and the first president of the United States, he embodied the national idea. Washington's military experience and sense of community and fraternity contributed to his vision for a unified nation.
Washington's vision for a stronger union was also reflected in his efforts to establish a national university. He believed that a university sponsored by the republic itself would be a powerful symbol of unity for the young nation. He designated land for this university in the new federal city across the Potomac and offered a substantial endowment, demonstrating his generosity and dedication to his vision.
Additionally, Washington worked to establish an energetic executive branch of government, promote citizens' loyalty to the nation, foster a thriving environment for commerce and industry, and protect America from European aggression. He navigated complex political differences within his administration, urging compromise and mutual respect for differing opinions.
Washington's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as he was admired, respected, and praised for his contributions to the birth of the American nation. His victory in the Revolutionary War and his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army further solidified his impact on the country's foundation. Washington's vision for a stronger union was a driving force in shaping the course of the young nation.
Thomas Jefferson's Vision for the Constitution
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James Madison's arguments for a new government
James Madison was a dominant force in the creation of the United States Constitution and is often regarded as the "Father of the Constitution". In early 1787, as a Virginia Congressman, Madison wrote an essay titled "Vices of the Political System", which outlined the flaws of the Articles of Confederation. In it, he expressed his view that tyrannical majorities in the states were passing unjust laws that violated the rights of numerical minorities.
Madison's proposed solution to this problem was the Virginia Plan, which significantly strengthened the power of the central government and laid the groundwork for the debates at the Constitutional Convention. The Virginia Plan, also known as the "Virginia Plan of Government", was prepared by the Virginia delegates in Philadelphia in May 1787 and was based on Madison's outline. The plan, which favoured the large states and gave enormous power to a new federal government, became the nationalists' opening line of debate.
Madison was also a leading advocate for religious freedom. He had witnessed the oppression of religious dissenters in Virginia and amended the draft language on religious liberty in Virginia's new constitution to declare that "all men are equally entitled to enjoy the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience". He also sought to reassure critics of the Constitution by adding guarantees of fundamental liberties, such as religious freedom, a free press, and trial by jury.
Madison played a crucial role in calling the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia and in shaping the deliberations during the convention. He was committed to individual liberties and became an active proponent of a federal bill of rights, introducing a series of proposed amendments that formed the core of what became the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. Madison's "Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress" served as a valuable source of information for understanding the activities of Congress and the frustrations that led to plans for a new federal Constitution.
Religious Freedom: Constitutional Limits on Religion in America
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William Paterson's New Jersey Plan
The US Constitution was created by 55 delegates who came together in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates represented a confederacy of states that had recently gained freedom from British rule. The Constitution was the result of heated debates and compromises, with each individual bringing their own ideas about the role of government in the new nation.
One of the key players in the creation of the Constitution was William Paterson, who helped author the New Jersey Plan. The plan was proposed in June 1787 and was intended to benefit small states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. It called for each state to have equal representation in Congress, regardless of population size. Paterson and other supporters of the plan feared that proportional representation would result in the interests of small states being ignored.
The New Jersey Plan consisted of nine resolutions. The first resolution advocated for a unicameral system of legislature, while the second expanded the scope of Congress's powers, including the authority to collect import duties and raise taxes. The third resolution established the three-fifths rule, which counted three-fifths of the number of enslaved people in a state for the purpose of determining its population and assessing funding requests from Congress. The fourth resolution proposed an executive branch made up of multiple individuals, with a provision for their removal by a majority vote of the states. The fifth resolution provided for the appointment of a federal judiciary by the executive branch.
The New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected by the delegates, with seven votes against, three in favour, and one divided. Despite its rejection, the plan played a significant role in shaping the final Constitution. It highlighted the concerns of less populous states and led to the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, which combined elements of the New Jersey Plan and the competing Virginia Plan. This compromise proposed proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate, addressing the concerns of both large and small states.
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Enlightenment thinkers' ideas about natural rights
The US Constitution has had a profound influence on the history of ideas and legal thinking worldwide. Its impact is seen in similarities of phrasing, borrowed passages, and principles in other constitutions, as well as in the concepts of governance, rule of law, separation of powers, and recognition of individual rights. The US Constitution's influence is particularly notable in the following regions and countries:
- Australia: Australian constitutional law was influenced by the US Constitution, adopting a federal system with a senate representing the states and the concepts of separation of powers and judicial review.
- Latin America: Several Latin American countries, including Mexico, were influenced by the US Constitution's republican and democratic practices in the 19th and 20th centuries, adopting similar constitutions and a federalist framework.
- Philippines: José Rizal of the Philippines was inspired by the US Constitution in his calls for political reform, advocating for basic freedoms, a representative parliament, and equality.
- China: Sun Yat-sen of China was influenced by American democracy and the US Constitution in his efforts to overthrow the feudal system of the Qing dynasty.
- Other countries: The US Constitution has also influenced constitutional thinking in countries like Canada, Switzerland, and Mexico, as well as in the development of freely elected governments and the rights of man.
Now, here is a detailed discussion of the Enlightenment thinkers' ideas about natural rights:
The Enlightenment thinkers' ideas about natural rights had a significant impact on the development of political thought, including the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The concept of natural rights was central to Enlightenment debates on the relationship between individuals and the government. Natural rights are understood as those that are universal and inalienable, not bestowed by a particular state or legal authority, and therefore cannot be removed. These rights may include the right to life, liberty, equality, property, justice, free speech, and happiness.
During the Enlightenment, the concept of natural law was used to challenge the divine right of kings and became an alternative justification for the social contract, positive law, and government. Thinkers such as John Locke, John Lilburne, Francis Hutcheson, and Georg Hegel contributed to the development and complication of the concept of natural rights. Locke, for example, believed in the natural and universal law that "no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions." He also argued that citizens' liberty must be protected from state interference and that natural rights include perfect equality and freedom, and the right to preserve life and property.
The Enlightenment's emphasis on rationalism in politics also influenced the understanding of natural rights. The "politics of reason" centered on rational choice, utilitarianism, and secularism, and sought to curtail the political power of organized religion. This led to the development of novel ideas such as Deism and atheism.
While the philosophy of the Enlightenment was dominated by men, the question of women's rights emerged as one of the most controversial ideas. Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the few female thinkers of the time, advocated for women's rights and argued that women are not naturally inferior to men but appear so due to a lack of education. She imagined a social order founded on reason, where both men and women are treated as rational beings.
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State constitutions' explicit articulation of individual rights
The US Constitution is a document that was created to recognize and defend against the corrupting influence of foreign powers, particularly on the president. The Founding Fathers, having just broken free from the British Empire, were anxious about the idea of foreign influence on their young democracy. As such, they included the emoluments clause and congressional impeachment powers in the Constitution to protect against this.
State constitutions also play an important role in the protection of individual rights. While the US Constitution takes precedence over state law and constitutions, state courts have, in recent times, begun to interpret their own state constitutions independently of US Supreme Court rulings. This has resulted in a divergence of meaning between identically worded provisions in federal and state constitutions, with state courts granting citizens more protection than federal provisions. For instance, some state constitutions have been interpreted as going further in limiting capital punishment than the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits "cruel and unusual punishment".
In 1977, Justice William Brennan Jr. encouraged state courts to use their own constitutions to protect individual rights independently of federal courts, and some state supreme courts have since chosen to grant more protection under their own constitutions than under the First Amendment. For example, in "PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robins (1980)", the US Supreme Court held that California could interpret its state constitution to protect political protesters from being evicted from private property, despite the shopping center owner's property rights under the Fifth Amendment.
State constitutions, therefore, provide an additional layer of protection for individual rights, with state courts having the power to interpret and apply these rights independently of federal courts. This has important implications for constitutional jurisprudence and the concept of federalism in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison is known as the "father of the Constitution". He was a driving force behind the convention and came prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government.
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, George Mason, John Dickinson, William Paterson, and Roger Sherman all played key roles in the creation of the Constitution.
Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire influenced the framers of the Constitution. Locke's ideas about natural rights and social contract theory laid the groundwork for modern democracy. Montesquieu's doctrine of the separation of powers and Voltaire's advocacy for civil liberties also shaped the Constitution.
The Magna Carta, state constitutions, and the experiences of the Founding Fathers with foreign influence and previous forms of government all influenced the creation of the Constitution.
