Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states. The signing of the US Constitution established a federal government with specific powers, including those related to conducting foreign relations. The Constitution also lays out the framework of the nation's federal government and delineates how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) are to function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
| Type of Document | Four-page document |
| Purpose | To establish the government of the United States |
| Framers | 74 delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Alexander Hamilton |
| Function | To lay out the framework of the nation's federal government and delineate how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) are to function |
| Amendments | 27 amendments have been adopted under Article V |
| Endorsement | "Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the States present" |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution was signed to establish the government of the United States
- It lays out the framework for the nation's federal government
- The document was signed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states
- The signing was the result of four months of fierce debate
- The Constitution was influenced by political philosophers like Locke and Montesquieu
The Constitution was signed to establish the government of the United States
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document established the government of the United States, replacing the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was the culmination of four months of fierce debate and deliberation by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, who sought to create a new form of republican government.
The Constitution lays out the framework of the nation's federal government and delineates how its three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—are to function. It includes an introductory paragraph, or preamble, which states the purposes of the new government, including establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, and promoting the general welfare. The preamble's opening words, "We the People," represent the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy.
The Constitutional Convention featured many of the great minds of the day, including James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and, for a while, Alexander Hamilton. George Washington presided over the Convention, which included 39 delegates who endorsed the Constitution. Of these 39 signers, Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating that while he did not approve of every part of the Constitution, he would accept it because he did not expect there to be a better alternative.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it established the government of the United States and laid out the framework for how that government would function. It was the result of intense debate and compromise, and it has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since.
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It lays out the framework for the nation's federal government
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document, which was preceded by four months of deliberations, marked the endorsement of the Constitution by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states.
The US Constitution is significant as it lays out the framework for the nation's federal government. The Constitution includes four sections: an introductory paragraph titled "Preamble", a list of seven Articles that define the government's framework, an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers, and 27 amendments that have been adopted under Article V. The Preamble, or the Constitution's introductory paragraph, outlines the purposes of the new government. The opening words, "We the People", represent the idea that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy.
The Constitution establishes a federal system of government, dividing power between the national government and the state governments. The federal government, as outlined in the Constitution, is divided into three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive power is vested in the President, the legislative power in Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate), and the judicial power in the Supreme Court and other federal courts created by Congress.
The Constitution also provides a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch. For example, while Congress passes laws, the President can veto them, and while the executive branch prosecutes criminal violations, the courts are responsible for trying these cases. Additionally, the President appoints federal judges, but their appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.
The Constitution also enumerates the powers of the federal government, with those powers being interpreted broadly. Under the supremacy clause, federal law takes precedence over state law, and the Constitution limits the powers of states in relation to one another. For instance, the US Congress's ability to regulate interstate commerce restricts the states' ability to tax or regulate such commerce independently.
The Constitution also serves to protect the personal liberty of citizens from government intrusion. This protection is found in the main body of the Constitution, such as in Article I, Sections 9 and 10, which prohibit ex post facto laws and bills of attainder. Most protections for individual rights are contained in the Bill of Rights, which are the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments were adopted shortly after the Constitution's adoption to address state concerns about the lack of protections for individual rights.
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The document was signed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states. The signing took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and established the government of the United States. The document was the result of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention that began in May 1787, with the goal of addressing the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution included individuals with experience in local, colonial, and state governments, many of whom had also taken part in the American Revolution. Seven of the signatories had signed the Declaration of Independence, and 30 had served on active military duty. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who played a crucial role in advocating for the Constitution's acceptance.
Franklin, despite his own misgivings about certain parts of the document, recognised the need for a compromise and the likelihood that no better agreement could be reached. In his final speech, delivered by James Wilson due to Franklin's poor health, he urged the delegates to sign the Constitution, stating:
> "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. [...] I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views."
The signing of the Constitution was not without dissent, as three delegates—Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph—chose not to sign the document. However, the remaining delegates, recognising the importance of unanimous support from all twelve states, agreed to endorse the Constitution as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states present. This endorsement served as an authentication of the document's validity and marked the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention.
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The signing was the result of four months of fierce debate
The signing of the United States Constitution was the culmination of four months of intense and fierce debate, starting in May 1787, and occurring at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitutional Convention, presided over by George Washington, featured many of the great minds of the day, including James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and, for a while, Alexander Hamilton. The delegates to the convention were tasked with addressing the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation.
The convention's delegates, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates), engaged in vigorous discussions and debates. They ultimately decided to draft an entirely new form of government, creating a model that divided federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. This new framework aimed to establish a stronger federal government with more specific powers, particularly in conducting foreign relations.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. However, several delegates were disappointed with the result, considering it a series of unfortunate compromises. Some left before the signing ceremony, and three others refused to sign. Despite this, the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, marked a significant step in establishing the government of the United States.
The signing was preceded by a speech from Benjamin Franklin, who, despite his own misgivings about certain parts of the document, strongly endorsed the Constitution. Franklin's speech was read by James Wilson due to Franklin's poor health. Franklin's address was followed by a debate, with some delegates expressing their objections to the final version. Ultimately, a motion to sign the document was approved by 10 of the state delegations. The signing of the Constitution was a pivotal moment in the formation of the United States' federal government and the establishment of a more perfect union.
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The Constitution was influenced by political philosophers like Locke and Montesquieu
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in a closed meeting room in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the US Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787, during which 39 delegates representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates) endorsed the Constitution. The Constitution was first read to the group, and then Benjamin Franklin, in his last great speech, made a motion to sign the document.
The Constitution was influenced by political philosophers like John Locke and Montesquieu, among others. Historian Herbert W. Schneider noted the significant influence of the Scottish Enlightenment, which emphasised the advancement of personal liberties. Similarly, historian Jack P. Greene argued that the founders of the US Constitution drew heavily from the Magna Carta and the writings of Enlightenment rationalists and English common law. The ideas and principles espoused by these political philosophers provided a framework for the structure and function of the US government as outlined in the Constitution.
Locke, an English philosopher, is known for his theories on natural rights and social contract. He argued that individuals have inherent rights, including life, liberty, and property, and that governments are established through a social contract to protect these rights. These concepts are reflected in the Constitution's emphasis on individual liberties and the role of government in securing those liberties.
Montesquieu, a French philosopher, is renowned for his theory of separation of powers, which is a cornerstone of the US Constitution. He proposed that power should be divided among different branches of government to prevent the concentration of power in a single entity. The US Constitution establishes three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. This separation of powers provides a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch holds excessive power.
The influence of these political philosophers contributed to the creation of a constitutional framework that sought to protect individual freedoms, establish a balanced and accountable government, and provide a more perfect union for the people of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was signed to lay out the framework for the nation's federal government and define how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) would function. It also established the government of the United States and outlined the purposes of the new government.
39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states, signed the US Constitution. George Washington, who presided over the convention, was also a signatory.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place between May and September 1787, featured intense and lengthy debates about the future of the United States. The delegates drew up plans for a new form of republican government to replace the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation.
