Jonah Patel
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It has been amended 27 times since it came into effect in 1789, guaranteeing citizens certain rights and establishing a federal government with three branches. The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. While most people attribute the authorship of the Constitution to James Madison, who is often referred to as the Father of the Constitution, several other people contributed significantly to its creation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary authors | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay |
| Father of the Constitution | James Madison |
| Delegate from Pennsylvania | Benjamin Franklin |
| Chief architect of the Committee of Style and Arrangement | Gouverneur Morris |
| Date of signing | 17 September 1787 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| Date of enforcement | 4 March 1789 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Writer of the original document | Jacob Shallus |
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What You'll Learn
James Madison, the 'Father of the Constitution'
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Born into a prominent slave-owning planter family in Virginia, Madison joined the Patriots in 1774, strongly opposed to British taxation. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. Dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, he helped organise the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly.
Madison was a delegate from Virginia, and he played a major role in drafting the initial proposal for the Constitution. He was also instrumental in shaping the final version of the document and in helping to push it through the ratification process. Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, which was the foundation of the Constitution and argued for the principle of separation of powers between different branches of government. He also sponsored the first 10 amendments to the Constitution—the Bill of Rights—placing emphasis in the debate on freedom of religion, speech, and the press.
Madison collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in the newspaper publication of the Federalist Papers (Madison wrote 29 out of 85), which became the standard commentary on the Constitution. His influence produced ratification by Virginia and led John Marshall to say that, if eloquence included “persuasion by convincing, Mr. Madison was the most eloquent man I ever heard.”. Madison also took day-by-day notes of debates at the Constitutional Convention, which furnish the only comprehensive history of the proceedings.
Gouverneur Morris, a delegate from Pennsylvania, was also an important contributor to the drafting of the Constitution. He was tasked with writing down the final version of the document, and his elegant and well-written language helped ensure that the document would be both effective and easy to understand. Benjamin Franklin, one of the oldest delegates, also played a key role in bridging the gap between various factions and helping to secure agreement on key provisions of the Constitution.
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Alexander Hamilton, a strong advocate for a powerful central government
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States, a soldier, lawyer, scholar, economist, congressman, and the first US Secretary of the Treasury. He was a strong advocate for a powerful central government and played a significant role in drafting the US Constitution.
Hamilton's ideas about a central government were shaped by his experiences during the American Revolutionary War, where he served as an aide to General George Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, he became a delegate from New York to the Congress of the Confederation in Philadelphia, where he led the Annapolis Convention, seeking to strengthen the power of the independent states under the Articles of Confederation. Hamilton believed in a central government led by an energetic executive, a strong national defence, and a diversified economy with expanded industry.
In 1787, Hamilton was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the US Constitution, creating a more centralised federal government. He then authored 51 of the 85 instalments of The Federalist Papers, which were influential in securing the ratification of the Constitution by the states. Hamilton's interpretations of the Constitution, as set forth in The Federalist Papers, remain highly influential and continue to be cited in scholarly studies and court decisions. He consistently advocated for greater federal power at the expense of state power, which placed him at odds with Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers.
Hamilton's contributions as the first Secretary of the Treasury further solidified his impact on the formation of a powerful central government. He organised the National Bank, the first US monetary system, the tax system, the Customs Service, and established the national debt. Additionally, he developed the concept of "implied powers," which allowed the federal government to take actions in support of the Constitution that were not explicitly stated in the document. Hamilton's economic policies, such as his plan for funding the national debt and securing federal credit, further enhanced the power and reach of the central government.
Hamilton's legacy as an advocate for a powerful central government is complex. While some praised his leadership and vision for a strong national government, others, like John Adams and Jefferson, viewed him as unprincipled and dangerously aristocratic. Nonetheless, Hamilton's influence on the formation of the US Constitution and his support for a powerful central government have left a lasting impact on the political and economic development of the United States.
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John Jay, the third member of the triumvirate
John Jay, an American statesman, diplomat, Founding Father of the United States, and signatory of the Treaty of Paris, was the third member of the triumvirate who wrote the majority of the US Constitution. Born in 1745 into a wealthy family of merchants and government officials in New York City, Jay pursued a career in law and public service. He played a significant role in the campaign for the Constitution, serving as the first Chief Justice of the United States from 1789 to 1795 and as the second Governor of New York from 1795 to 1801.
Jay was an important leader of the Federalist Party and a close political ally of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. He directed US foreign policy for much of the 1780s and was instrumental in negotiating treaties with Great Britain, including the Jay Treaty in 1794, which resolved lingering issues from the American Revolution. Jay also negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally ended the conflict between Great Britain and the newly formed United States.
In addition to his diplomatic achievements, Jay was a strong advocate for a stronger federal government and played a crucial role in building support for the Constitution. Under the pseudonym "Publius," shared with Hamilton and James Madison, Jay wrote five of the eighty-five Federalist Papers, which provided a clear explanation of the Constitution's principles. He also authored other materials recognised as documentation of the intent underlying the Constitution, including a letter to John Adams regarding the judiciary.
Jay's career in public service extended beyond his contributions to the Constitution. He served as Vice President (1816-1821) and President (1821-1827) of the American Bible Society, believing that propagating the Christian gospel was the most effective way to ensure world peace. He also ran in the 1796 presidential election and later declined a Senate-confirmed nomination to resume his office as Chief Justice, retiring to a life of farming in Westchester County, New York. John Jay passed away on May 17, 1829, leaving behind a legacy as one of the key architects of the US Constitution and a dedicated public servant.
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Gouverneur Morris, responsible for the final document's language
Gouverneur Morris, a Founding Father of the United States, played a vital role in drafting the US Constitution. He was responsible for the final document's language, earning him the moniker ""Penman of the Constitution". Morris was just 35 when he served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was tasked with writing down the final version of the document, ensuring it was effective and easy to understand. Morris contributed significantly to the well-written language found in the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation as the legislative document of the United States.
Morris was a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which was charged with editing the final text and details of the Constitution. He was also on the Committee on Postponed Parts, or the Committee of Eleven, which crafted solutions to challenging issues at the Convention, such as the selection of the presidency. Morris's work on these committees was instrumental in shaping the language and structure of the Constitution. He was also one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery at the Constitutional Congress, advocating for the right to religious freedom and arguing for the inclusion of such language in the Constitution.
Morris is known for changing James Wilson's original preamble language from "We, the People of the States" to "We, the People of the United States." This gave the Preamble its memorable text: "We the People." Morris also contributed to the structure of the presidency, defending the need for an energetic president and arguing against limiting presidents to a single term. He believed that the president needed sufficient powers and independence to guard against legislative tyranny and serve as the "guardian of the people."
Morris's oratorical abilities were renowned, and he gave more speeches than any other member of the Convention, with a total of 173. His contributions to the US Constitution were significant, and he is remembered as one of the "Forgotten Founders" who helped define the text and meaning of this important document. After the ratification of the Constitution, Morris served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, where he criticised the French Revolution and the execution of Marie Antoinette. He later returned to the United States and was elected to the Senate in 1800, serving until 1803.
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Benjamin Franklin, helped bridge the gap between factions
Benjamin Franklin was one of the oldest delegates at the Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787. He was a Founding Father of the United States, bringing a wealth of experience and wisdom to the convention. He was also a respected diplomat, inventor, and statesman, who had already made significant contributions to the early formation of the nation.
Franklin played a crucial role in the convention as a mediator and peacemaker. He helped bridge the gap between the various factions and played a pivotal role in resolving conflicts and reaching compromises. The convention was attended by delegates from different states, each with their own interests and concerns. Franklin's influence and reputation helped maintain unity and harmony among the delegates, ensuring that the final product was one that could be accepted by the majority.
One of Franklin's notable contributions was his ability to facilitate compromise. His diplomatic skills and wisdom were instrumental in finding middle ground between differing opinions on how to form the new government. Franklin's respect among his peers, gained through his extensive experience and accomplishments, was a key factor in his effectiveness as a mediator.
Franklin's prior political and diplomatic endeavours also contributed to his role as a bridge-builder. He had previously worked to settle disputes between the colonies and Britain, and he had experience in advocating for independence and unity among the colonies. Franklin's international experience, including his time in France, further enhanced his ability to navigate complex political dynamics and find common ground.
Additionally, Franklin's reputation as a respected statesman and his wisdom helped to maintain a harmonious atmosphere during the convention. His presence and influence contributed to a spirit of cooperation and compromise, which was essential in drafting a constitution that could be accepted by the majority of delegates.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's role in bridging the gap between factions at the Constitutional Convention was instrumental in securing agreement on key provisions of the Constitution. His experience, diplomatic skills, and respected reputation helped facilitate compromise and maintain unity among delegates with differing views. Franklin's contributions ensured that the final document reflected a consensus that could be accepted and ratified by the majority.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison was a delegate from Virginia who played a major role in drafting the initial proposal for the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, alongside Madison, wrote the Federalist Papers, which were a series of essays defending the Constitution. Gouverneur Morris was another important delegate who played a role in drafting the Constitution.
The Federalist Papers were written to build public support for the Constitution and provide a clear explanation of its principles.
The US Constitution was based on the Virginia Plan, drafted by Madison. The plan outlined three distinct branches of a federal government: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
The British political philosopher John Locke was a major influence on the US Constitution, expanding on the contract theory of government advanced by his contemporary, Thomas Hobbes. Locke advanced the principle of consent of the governed, which held that the government's duty under a social contract was to serve and protect the rights of the sovereign people.
