Rebecca Yager American History 10/20/15 HOW DID THE CONSTITUTION GUARD AGAINST TYRANNY The Constitution was written 1787 in Philadelphia, based on the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is the final rule book that protects the guard against the government with too much power.…
After the failures of the Articles of Confederation, it was clear to the members of the Second Constitutional Convention that serious revisions to our government were necessary to have a prosperous nation. Thus the Constitution, with clear distinctions to the Articles, was drafted. James Madison, often cited as the Father of the Constitution, in conjunction with several other Federalist, like Alexander Hamilton, wrote the Federalist Papers to persuade members of Congress and the states to ratify the document. Noted by history as two of the most influential pieces from the collection, The Federalist Papers, Federalist 10 and Federalist 51 stand out by there clear and persuasive arguments as to why and how a strong national government would protect its citizens.…
Priscilla Etim HIST 1301 Professor James Adams July 26, 2017 The Great Compromise: The Ideals and Values of a Growing Nation The Great Compromise of 1787 is the compromise or the settled agreement of the dispute that erupted due to conflicting views and objectives presented from the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey plan. The purpose of these plans was to create proposed changes to the Articles of Confederation.…
Under America’s first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government grew weak and states operated like independent countries. In response to this the delegates at the 1787 convention which was originally set to ratify the Articles of Confederation devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches–executive, legislative and judicial–along with a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch would ever gain too much power. The U.S. Constitution established America’s national government and fundamental laws, while guaranteeing that certain basic rights for its citizens would be established and protected. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention…
Although taught as being diametrically opposed to one another, Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Madison (both of whom shall be referred to as Tom and Jim, respectively, for the remainder of this essay) both shared a common goal in their philosophy of Government. That the will of a rightful majority should hold political power and legislate to promote the public good. The two even share similar principles in regards to the delegation of powers between the different levels of government in Federal state structures as well as fearful stances on human nature. However, the two diverge in all other respects, most importantly in regards to the scope a good government should encompass as well as how to protect against unjust majorities.…
The American Revolution provided the Founding Fathers with a unique opportunity: they were able to create a nation that was entirely their own. Before the Revolution, there was no real colonial government; the colonists were for the most part under British control. The founders were tasked with creating the plans for the government of a new nation from the ground up. With this task, there was a lot of debate over how to structure the government. Arguably the most important debates of the time period were those that centered around the balance of individual liberties and the social order of the nation.…
Often times when people think of early American historical figures that were against slavery, former president Abraham Lincoln is the first to come to mind. There were, of course, many before him. Alexander Hamilton “was steadfast committed to the eventual abolition of slavery” unlike many of his time. He stood his ground on his beliefs multiple times; his debates with Thomas Jefferson on the subject recorded through history. Hamilton brought light to the racial issue.…
Carol Berkin is a professor of History at Baruch College, and she teaches early American and women’s history. A BRILLIANT SOLUTION: Inventing the American Constitution is a book that involves the independence of United States of America. The years after the Rebellion were the greatest years and the most terrible periods. Even if the nation is eminent their newborn liberty, they did not have a strong central administration that would connect them mutually (Berkin, 2002).…
The Constitution is designed to provide United States citizens an opportunity to run for office regardless of social standing, the balance of powers contained within prevent any one person or group from controlling the country as a monarch, and compromises within the Bill of Rights guaranteed the rights of the individual. Although Young’s essay explained some of the thoughts behind the writers of the Constitution, Rakove explained the writing and motives in a more insightful manner as to how it directly related to the final draft. His focus was on how the founders’ decisions directly affected the American people and their ability to participate in government, no matter their station in society. The Constitution was written in a time where monarchy was prevalent and the idea of people ruling themselves was considered a foolish experiment that would produce a weak government. Today, the experiment in democracy has proved a success in ours and other nations.…
Over the course of America’s history, the ideas of of a perfect society filled with stability has been the main focus of our country 's government system. The ideas of power have a significant influence on the way our country has developed. The constitution was a document created in order to spread power and to establish equality between all individuals. Within the preamble of the constitution contains the set goals of what our country was intended to achieve by our Founding Fathers. During the 19th century the United States as a whole had attempted, but ultimately did not achieve its goals of promoting general welfare, establishing Justice and securing the blessing of liberty.…
Most people wouldn’t know most of the things that the Constitution says in it. It is becoming old and people are forgetting about it. Sure the Constitution is ubiquitous, but it is also unknown to some people. The U.S. Constitution is an extraordinary document.…
The room is sweltering hot. The flies are buzzing. Suspense is rising and ideas are turning into a cacophony of aggressive and intelligent voices. The room is full of arguing men who are taking sides when they are supposed to be working together. Suddenly, a timid, soft-spoken man of 5’6” emerges from his world of note taking.…
Upon reading the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist, many commonalities can be seen in the wording of the documents and the spirit in which they were written. In all three documents the Framers of the Constitution’s belief in a Biblical worldview is apparent. A Biblical worldview holds that God is the answer to the questions of: what is the origin, nature, and destiny of the cosmos and what is the origin nature, role, and destiny of man (Martin, 2006). While this commonality exists between all three documents, they also differ in many aspects such as, tone, intended audience and purpose. To be able to understand the commonalities and differences between the three documents a summary needs to be given of the three documents.…
After America’s long journey of seeking freedom from governmental oppression, the newly formed nation was skeptical when it came to the discussion of new government authority. Many Americans were still uneasy about consolidated power, while others were aware of the prevalent national instability caused by the lack thereof. Though, in the end, the Constitution prevailed and has become the cornerstone of American government, the path that led to this enduring document was gradual and filled with apprehension and debate. Both sides of the issue had very clear and valid notions about either their support or opposition to the Constitution, and in the end were able to find common ground through patience and compromise.…
In the book, by the author Carol Berkin “A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution ”, analyzes the United States’ memorable progress in 1786, which was a few years after their independence was claimed. The author essentially explains how the Constitution was established, and who was involved in constructing it. Berkin also discusses in great detail the different attributes and the life’s of the founding fathers that influenced what our nation is today. Berkin’s purpose is to acknowledge and enlightened the readers of the document, the American Constitution as we see it today. Further in the book she accentuates that the main creators of this significant document were humans, and have equivalent flaws similar to present-day…