Handwritten Constitution: Why The Founding Fathers' Choice?

why was the constitution written by hand

The United States Constitution was written by hand by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, in 1787. Shallus engrossed, or copied, the document by hand in clear handwriting over the course of about 40 hours. The final document was signed by 39 of the 42 delegates present, including George Washington, on September 17, 1787, a day now commemorated as Constitution Day. The Constitution was created to address concerns about the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The Constitution was the result of months of passionate and thoughtful deliberation among the delegates, and it has been an inspiration that changed the trajectory of world history by putting governance in the hands of the people.

Characteristics Values
Who wrote the US Constitution by hand Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly
How long did it take to write the US Constitution by hand 40 hours
How much was Jacob Shallus paid $30
Date the US Constitution was signed September 17, 1787
Number of delegates who signed the US Constitution 39
Names of delegates who refused to sign the US Constitution George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph
Reason for refusal to sign the US Constitution The Constitution lacked a bill of rights

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The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787

The Constitution was written on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. It was the first permanent constitution and has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual liberty and justice and restrict government powers. The majority of the 17 later amendments expand individual civil rights protections.

The Constitutional Convention was called after James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money. The delegates debated for three hot summer months, and near the end of the convention, a Committee of Style and Arrangement condensed 23 articles into seven in less than four days.

The signing of the Constitution included a brief declaration stating that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those who signed it subscribed to the final document. It also included a statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present and the delegates' signatures. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed it to authenticate its validity.

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39 delegates endorsed the US Constitution

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The US Constitution was written by hand by Jacob Shallus

The US Constitution was signed in 1787 by 39 delegates who endorsed the constitution created during the convention. The signing occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House. The document was first unanimously endorsed by General George Washington, followed by each state delegation from north to south.

The US Constitution is the fundamental framework of America's system of government. It separates the powers of government into three branches: the legislative branch, which makes the laws; the executive branch, which executes the laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws. It also sets up a system of checks and balances to ensure no one branch has too much power, and divides power between the states and the federal government.

The US Constitution has been an inspiration that changed the trajectory of world history for the perpetual benefit of mankind. In 1787, no country in the world had ever allowed its citizens to select their own form of government, much less a democratic government. The Constitution was, therefore, revolutionary when it was written, and it continues to inspire the world today.

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The US Constitution was inspired by the need for a democratic government

The US Constitution was written by hand by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The US Constitution was inspired by the need for a democratic government, with the preamble of the document stating:

> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The US Constitution was a landmark event in the history of governments, as it was the first time that citizens were allowed to select their own form of government. The Constitution put governance in the hands of the people, with laws drafted by the people's representatives, rather than by a sovereign. It was the result of months of passionate and thoughtful debate between convention delegates, who sought to create a new type of society governed by the rule of law. 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; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

The US Constitution has had a profound global impact, influencing legal thinking and adaptation in emerging nations. It has been referenced by former European colonies, including Latin American countries, as they formed their own governments and established federal and parliamentary models. The Constitution's principles of representative government, delegation of authority, and democratic practices have inspired nations seeking to establish freely elected governments, protect individual liberties, and separate powers.

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The US Constitution was the result of months of passionate debate

The US Constitution is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States, and its creation was a lengthy and passionate process. The Constitution was written by hand over the course of several months in 1787 by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, also known as the Founding Fathers.

Frequently asked questions

The US Constitution was written by hand because it was the standard practice at the time. In 1787, there were no computers or typewriters, so all documents were handwritten.

Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, engrossed (copied in a fine, clear hand) the US Constitution.

It took Jacob Shallus about 40 hours to create an accurate transcription of the draft.

He was paid $30 for his efforts.

The US Constitution was written in 1787, a few years after the Revolutionary War. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates.

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