The Framers: Why They Wrote The Constitution

The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and established the United States of America. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787. The Founding Fathers wanted to set up a fair and balanced government, and they included a way to change the Constitution, known as amendments.

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The Founding Fathers' vision for America

The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.

The Founding Fathers also recognised the importance of compromise and consensus in establishing the new government. They represented wildly different interests and views, but they were able to work together to craft a constitution that has stood the test of time. They bypassed the state legislatures and called for special ratifying conventions in each state, recognising that members of the state legislatures would be reluctant to give up power to a national government.

The Founding Fathers' legacy is remembered and celebrated each year on Constitution Day, which falls on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787. The Constitution established the three branches of government and continues to protect the rights of American citizens.

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles were born out of necessity to fight the War for Independence and coordinate the war effort. They created a "perpetual union" between the 13 colonies, now independent states, and organised them into a loose political union. The states retained their sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and mostly governed themselves. The Articles also established a Congress with the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no power to enforce its decisions, regulate commerce, or print money.

The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates ultimately decided to create a completely new government, with three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This separation of powers ensured that power would not be concentrated in a single branch. The new Constitution was signed in September 1787 and went into effect in 1789, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the governing document of the United States.

George Washington's role

George Washington played an indispensable role in the founding of the American Republic. He was the commander-in-chief of the American Revolutionary Army and the first president of the United States under the new Constitution.

Washington was initially reluctant to get involved in politics and had planned to retire from public service following the American Revolution. However, his concerns about the disintegration of the nation and pressure from prominent individuals convinced him to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Washington was unanimously elected by the 55 delegates to be the president of the convention.

Washington's main role during the convention was to keep order and provide a deciding vote on various proposals. He rarely spoke during the debates, but his support for the Constitution was widely known and had a strong influence. He believed in the need for a strong national government with a single executive leader, and this influenced the delegates' proposals for the president's powers.

Washington's letter of 17 September 1787, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. In the letter, Washington expressed his support for the Constitution, stating that it was the result of "a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable." This letter was instrumental in urging others to accept the Constitution.

Overall, Washington's leadership, influence, and support were crucial in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and he played a key role in transforming the ideals of the Revolution into reality.

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Alexander Hamilton's influence

Alexander Hamilton was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and played a significant role in the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution. Hamilton was only 30 years old when he was chosen as one of New York's delegates, alongside John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates. He had been a leader in calling for a new Constitutional Convention, advocating for a strong national government.

Hamilton's influence on the Constitution can be seen in several ways. Firstly, he drafted a proposal for a new national government, which centralized power while allowing states to retain their rights and individuality. Hamilton's plan was modelled on the British system, which he considered the "best in the world". His proposal included the election of senators and a chief executive or "national governor", who would serve during good behaviour and be removable for corruption or abuse. Hamilton also proposed that the president have an absolute veto power and that the federal government appoint state governors. While his ideas were not fully adopted, Hamilton's influence can be seen in the eventual structure of the US government.

Secondly, Hamilton was a chief advocate for the Constitution's approval by the states. He wrote and published a series of essays, known as "The Federalist" or "The Federalist Papers", in collaboration with James Madison and John Jay. Hamilton penned the majority of these essays, which provided a rational and eloquent defence of the Constitution. He addressed topics such as the dangers of dissensions between the states, the defects of the present confederation, and the general power of taxation. These essays were instrumental in gaining allies for the Constitution and convincing states, including New York, to ratify it.

Thirdly, Hamilton served on committees at the Constitutional Convention that outlined convention rules and writing style. He also helped draft the Constitution, constructing a draft based on the convention debates. While his draft was never presented, it included many features that made it into the final Constitution. Hamilton signed the Constitution, believing it to be a vast improvement over the Articles of Confederation, and urged his fellow delegates to do the same.

Finally, Hamilton's influence extended beyond the creation of the Constitution to its interpretation and the establishment of the American financial system. He founded and designed the financial system through his role as the first secretary of the treasury, seeking to create a stable financial foundation for the nation. Hamilton also played a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution by leading the collaboration on "The Federalist Papers" and promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution.

The Grand Convention

The delegates to the convention came from various colonies and represented wildly different interests and views. They debated and compromised on several critical issues, including the balance of power between the states and the federal government, the structure of the legislature, and the qualifications for voting and office holding. The convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy, and the delegates shuttered the windows of the State House so they could speak freely.

The convention lasted for four months, and by mid-June, the delegates had decided to completely redesign the government. They agreed to comprise the government of 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.

Several individuals played key roles in the convention and the creation of the Constitution. George Washington, elected unanimously as the president of the convention, provided a sense of focus and direction. James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution", was a driving force behind the convention and played a key role in the debates. Alexander Hamilton, a strong advocate for a strong central government, was another key figure. John Jay, a lawyer and diplomat, was the third member of the "Triumvirate" that led the drafting of the Constitution. Other notable contributors included Roger Sherman, who proposed the Connecticut Compromise or "Great Compromise", and James Wilson, who desired a single executive with absolute veto power.

The delegates to the convention crafted a powerful central government, bypassing the state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with an additional signature for John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39. It was an extraordinary achievement, resulting in one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.

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