Constitution Of The United States Essay

America was founded on the principles of establishing and protecting liberty, which is described by The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution of the United States was written to provide a unified and functioning government and also to protect individual rights. The colonists disagreed with the workings of the British government and decided to become an independent state. Once the Constitution was put in place, “the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution.” The

Disorders have arisen in other parts of America; but here, sir, no dangers, no insurrection or tumult have happened; every thing has been calm and tranquil. But, notwithstanding this, we are wandering on the great ocean of human affairs. . . . The federal Convention ought to have amended the old system; for this purpose they were solely delegated; the object of their mission extended to no other consideration. You must, therefore, forgive the solicitation of one unworthy member to know what danger could have arisen under the present Confederation, and what are the causes of this proposal to change our government. . . .

Two hundred twenty-five years ago, on September 19th, 1789, the Constitution of the United States of America took on the responsibility of becoming the supreme law of the newly founded United States. As one of the most unique documents ever penned by man, it established a government “Of the people, by the people and for the people,” with “equal justice for all.” 1 The document makes no hesitation to establish power, as the first three words state “We The People,”2 thus placing the supreme power of government not in the hands of those elected, but in the peoples’ hands.

Between the years 1776 and 1783, Americans argued about the division of power between state and federal governments, most supporting the idea of a republic government. The Articles of Confederation was America’s first constitution that created a central, republican government with limited powers, assisting Americans through war and peace (Berkin 160-61). In the summer of 1787, President George Washington met with eleven of the thirteen states in a Constitutional convention in Philadelphia. Only nine states of the thirteen had to approve in order to pass the Constitution, and in September of 1787, Congress ratified the Constitution. Unfortunately, controversy over the Constitution occurred: Federalists supported a strong central government while Antifederalists believed that this type of government damaged Americans’ rights (171). While the approval of the Constitution was intended to permit more American citizens to partake in significant political decisions, its ratification sparked great philosophical debate over the best form of government.

In the history of the United States of America, our government has been defined by two very important documents. Reflecting on all governments of the past, they laid forth an impressive jumble of ideas that would lead the way to where we are today. These two documents are the Article of Confederation and the U.S Constitution. These two documents of precedent are both similar and unique, each with its own pros and cons, and neither being perfect. Both these documents addressed the prominent vital in national vs. state sovereignty, legislative selection process, and executive authority.

On May 25th, 1787,our founding fathers gather in Philadelphia. The delegates made clear that this new nation would be run by the citizens. Opening with “We The People”,the preamble then lists the goals of the new government. One being “from a more perfect union”, establish justice”, “insure domestic tranquility”, and “provide for the common defense”. These were embodied in our seven principles of government. They were chosen carefully to ensure that our united states would protect our freedom also the future Americans

This chapter covers many topics such as the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the Declaration of Independence. Before the Constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation serve as the first plan of a national government for the thirteen American states. (pg.17) The Articles allowed the states to retain most political power. (pg.17) Other features of the document were that it “preserved state autonomy, guaranteed equal representation for the states, and it granted the central government only a few important powers”. (pg.17-18) However, it “provided no separate executive branch and no national courts, and it made the amendment almost impossible”. (pg.18)

The documents known as “laws” have been created for centuries to help us establish a better government. In 1787, a specific set of laws was presented with the name of the Constitution (Ransom, 22).The constitution was established after Edmund Randolph pitched a plan created by James Madison and other Virginia delegates (22). The plan was made to form a stronger Federal government that would protect the people (22). John Rutledge, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, Edmund Randolph, and James Wilson were the five delegates who copied down the ideas that has been decided so far for the “Virginia Plan” which would be later known as the constitution (35). Together, the five delegates created a rough draft and printed out copies that they decided to hand out at the constitutional convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that began May 25, 1787(Kiernan and D’Agnese, 9). On September 17, 1787 the constitution was finally signed by 39 men from 12 different states

This intelligent people perceived and regretted these defects. Still continuing no less attached to union than enamored of liberty, they observed the danger which immediately threatened the former and more remotely the latter; and being persuaded that ample security for both could only be found in a national government more wisely framed, they as with one voice, convened the late convention at Philadelphia, to take that important subject under

The Constitution of the United States of America was presented in 1787, pertaining to a newly formed government and how the former colonists of England projected to run a new country. The Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia by the brilliant and later 4th President of the United States, James Madison. This document was presented to ameliorate the Articles of Confederation, written in 1777, that contained a weak central government and no chief executive or court system. Another intention of the Constitution was to frame, or establish, a government with no tyranny, the absolute control of one person or a specific group of people. As problems usually arise, solutions can also be forged to solve these issues. The work of Madison and many others helped extinguish the dilemma of tyranny, but specifically “how did the Constitution of the United States guard against, or protect the country from, tyranny?” Explicitly, the Constitution of the United States protects the people against tyranny by federalism, the separation of government powers, checks and balances, as well as the the big states versus the small states.

The United States constitution was written in 1787 by the founding fathers of this country. Now it might be appropriate to question why a document that is the basis of the government for one of the most culturally and racially diverse countries in the world, was written by a group of heterosexual, cisgender, rich, white men. Some might think that a constitution written well over 200 years ago would be outdated and irrelevant to the American society of today but with some research, it is quite the contrary. The constitution was designed to be molded and amended to be able to protect the rights of each and every American throughout the ever-changing society. This document keeps the national government from obtaining too much power and possibly becoming a tyranny. Since the constitution has been so successful in obtaining a functioning government through all these years, many other countries have used this very document as the groundwork for their own constitutions and governments.

This book would benefit scholars who need a direct quote from the Constitution of the United States of America, the Declaration of Independence, or the Articles of Confederation. No fillers exist within the book; therefore, no background information

The Constitution of the United States provides the essential framework for establishing the young republic. After the American Revolution, it was necessary for the new nation to establish their governance across the confederation of states. However, the founders were met with opposing, diverse views on how the nation should be governed through a constitution that would serve as the backbone of the nation’s government. It would be these decisions within the Constitution that establish the parameters in which our federal government will be structured for the years ahead. The solution for making agreements upon what would be included in the Constitution and by which parameters were discussed through a series of essays that were to be known as

The type of government the United States has in the year 2016 can be characterized as a representative democracy. A representative democracy, also known as an indirect democracy, is a type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing the people. This type of government is structured upon citizens electing representatives to serve on their behalf. There are many people who simply do not have the time to educate themselves about every particular issue involved in government; therefore, the people do not govern directly. In a representative democracy, the people elect representatives to act on their behalf and to represent them in governing the political society; therefore, power originates with the people. In order for a representative democracy to work effectively, there must be open communication between the representatives and the citizens. The elected officials need to represent the citizens in the best interest of the majority of the people. Overall, the goal of a representative democracy is to protect the rights and interests of the citizens by giving the citizens a voice within the government.

Throughout the history of the republic, there has been controversy between state and federal power. The state and federal power has been an ongoing dilemma regarding the separation of powers since the beginning of the constitution. An issue was brought to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTOS) that could change the future of upcoming court cases. There has been question whether the Constitution grants certain laws as void or not. Others question whether the Constitution should evolve, concurrent as the United States has evolved since the establishment of the constitution. Colorado passed the legalization of marijuana in 2012 (The Controlled Substance Act (CSA): Overview). Nebraska and Oklahoma challenged Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana for over stepping their state power (Nebraska and Oklahoma v. Colorado). Because of the impact that this case could have on upcoming cases, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case under Art. III sec. two of the Constitutions, which elaborates on their original jurisdiction (Nebraska and Oklahoma v. Colorado). Upon the refusal of SCOTOS to hear Nebraska’s and Oklahoma’s challenge on Colorado’s legalization of marijuana, the federal court will support the states challenge due to Colorado’s violation of the controlled substance act, Colorado over-stepping its 10th amendment rights, and Colorado’s attempt to regulate a