Intro Constitution was written in 1787 to provide structure to the new American government. The documents gist was to make sure that there was a balance of power for the three branches, and to make sure that every state had a representation of the nation that they live in. The constitution was influenced by historic documents and philosophers on the subject to make the ideal government. The constitution as a whole is a collage of ideas that I will deconstruct to see the very raw resources that inspired one of the most forward thinking governments in today's society. Body 1 Magna Carta King John was a corrupt king who reigned during the late 1200’s. He was major contributor to the Barons rebellion due to the fact taxes were extremely high because of the constant warfare between England and France and damage to church property. Before all the barons grabbed their torches and pitchforks they had to think of a plan to keep King John out of his corrupt ways. That is where the Magna Carta manifested. It was a lengthy document that let a small council of barons monitor the kings acts. It also had other ideas such as not letting the king throw people in jail for the King's personal gain. As the lynch …show more content…
In the year 1620 on November 11th a document was signed to ensure the self-government of the newly found land of North America. This document was called the Mayflower compact. It got its named the Mayflower compact because all the adult males had signed the document in the Mayflower before they hit shore. The idea to have the Mayflower compact was exercise self-government. The self-government would test the pilgrims to avoid mutiny and disruption. In the constitution the idea that they try to avoid was the idea of central government. The Constitution wanted people to do their own thing without anybody's nose in it but also maintain like hello
First of all, each of the different colonies’ founders all expressed sentiments to establish a solid and uncorrupt government. One that would honor God. This government would be made up of a Governor, and a general Assembly and/or provincial Council where most political and judicial decisions would be made and agreed on together. In the Mayflower Compact, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, men were given the right to vote and choose the officials and representatives who would have a place in the government. These first colonies also promised the people that justice would be restored, it would not be sold, or withheld.
In his speech, The Making of the U.S. Constitution, Gordon Wood discusses the history of how the U.S. Constitution came to be. He explains what factors contributed to its making and what the general consensus was about it during the time. He explains that the reason the constitution was created was because the government needed more power. Why did the government need more power? In short, to unify the 13 states and make life, in general, easier for its citizens, officers, artisans, and even to help with commercial interests (Wood, 2012).
The Mayflower Compact, signed by some of the earliest settlers of Virginia including John Carter in 1620 was an example of early self-governance in that they established a “frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices..for the generall good of the Colonie.” They had left Great Britain with the intention to care for themselves and govern themselves. The Mayflower Compact is one of the earliest examples of people coming together to govern themselves and take control of their future and well-being as a colony without Great Britain. Many others followed suit after them in a manner very similar.4
The constitution was mainly written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was made to make guidelines for the building of a federal government so that there wouldn’t be any tyranny. Some examples of these are indicated in Document A. It describes that the central government can, “regulate trade, conduct foreign relations and declare war.” Meanwhile, the states can, “set up local governments, hold elections and establish schools.”
The constitution was a document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the U.S is governed. The constitution states basic rights for its citizens. Delegates signed the constitution on September 17, 1787. There is a total of 27 constitutional amendments. The reasoning for writing it was for a stronger federal government - legislative, executive and judicial. The constitution was a break with a past of ‘unfair’ taxes, wars and ‘unfair’ treatment.
A constitution is the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation is governed. Our founding fathers created the US Constitution to set specific standards for our country. We must ask ourselves why our founding fathers created the Constitution in the first place. America revolted against the British due to their monarchy form of government. After the American Revolution, each of the original 13 colonies operated under its own rules of government. Most states were against any form of centralized rule from the government. They feared that what happened in England would happen again. They decided to write the Articles of Confederation, which was ratified in 1781. It was not effective and it led to many problems. The central government could not regulate commerce between states, deal with foreign governments or settle disputes. The country was falling apart at its seams. The central government could not provide assistance to the state because there wasn’t a central army. When they realized that the Articles of Confederation was not up to par, they held a convention, known as the Constitutional Convention of 1787. As a result of t...
While on the Mayflower, the settlers came to the realization that there would be no civil authority on the new land for them to follow. Resulting from that realization was the Mayflower Compact, it was designed to be their rule and guide to life on the new land. This was the first American State Paper; it provides the original statement of the principles of American democracy as we now know it. In addition it was the first self-government within the colonies and it regarded people as the source of power. The Mayflower Compact expresses four major ideas, a deep faith in God and his guidance, a deep loyalty to England and the king, a mutual regard for one another as equals, and the intent to establish equal laws to all men. It was the birth of constitutional liberty and became the official constitution of Plymouth Colony until Plymouth merged i...
The Pilgrims had many reasons for writing the Mayflower Compact. The Pilgrims declared their purposes for writing and forming the colony and the compact was "for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith". Following by what the compact says, they declared that they had the authority " to enact constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts". Following by what the compact says that they had to authority to create "constitutions and offices from time to time, as shall be thought most convenient for the general good of the Colony". What that means is that the government doesn't have the authority to change or expand itself. The authority to create and void governments and new offices, remains with the people.
25 English barons led by Robert Fitzwater decided to confront King John with demands effectively limiting his power has a king. He's had to come with something totally unprecedented to develop a new kind of banner for rebellion and a program of reform and a carter of liberties and, so we get Magna Carter. On June 15, 1215, at Runnymede near Windsor John met the barons to sign the Magna Carta that he had no intention of abiding by. What John did at Runnymede on 15nth of June 1215 was certainly to bring the negotiations to an end. King Johns attitude made civil war inevitable a brutal year-long campaign was launched throughout the country and in January 1216, King John slaughtered the inhabitants of Berwick as punishment for supporting rebel barons. In Rochester, King John directed the siege of this rebel stronghold. to torment the starving defenders, even more, he ordered bacon fat to be smeared and burnt on the wood castles tower. The tower and rebels soon collapsed. In 1216 while feasting in eastern England he contracted dysentery. While he was dying the barons could tell he was a deeply troubled
The United States Constitution is the document embodying the laws and principles by which our country is governed, and the founders who established it fought doubt and opposition to have it ratified. These federalists believed in a new form of government to unite the divided states into one country. The government would have one executive leader, with divided powers and rights reserved to the states. Following the months long Constitutional Convention, a system was finally decided.
May of 1787, 55 individuals, who were mainly white men and wealthy, came together from 11 disunited states. They wanted to create a new constitution, which could create a stronger central government. With having to want a new government the men were scared that the new government may have tyranny, which is an unfair leader or government. The constitution guards against tyranny by using a system of checks and balances and by having a separation of powers within the
The constitution is the law that protects our rights,and explains how the government should run. The constitution was written by James Madison, who is known as the father of the constitution. The constitution is important because if we did not have the constitution people could easily take away our rights. The constitution is the boundaries of our right. There are several effects that the constitution has on our lives. According to the constitution, all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and the House of Representatives.
The Constitution was extremely important to America’s history and allowed the citizens to have rights and freedom that many countries do not come near to possess. The main ideas behind the Constitution was the creation of popular sovereignty, the separation of powers, and federalism and republicanism. The Constitution led to greater government documents that separates America from the other nations by the freedom and citizen’s rights that were given.
The President has specific powers given to him by the constitution. These powers being the power to sign or veto any legislation, commanding the armed forces, convening or adjourning congress, grant reprieves and pardons, ask a written opinion of their cabinet and receiving ambassadors. Although these are the powers given to the president's by the constitution, some presidents have taken advantage of these powers. Some presidents even went against these rules and powers set by the constitution. President Lincoln would be one of the presidents who didn’t follow some of the rules made by the constitution during the Civil War. Lincoln did not want the Union to fall apart and therefore acted on the civil war without congressional consent. Lincoln also disbanded Habeas Corpus in order to just put people straight into jail. Things like this allows for the power that the President is given to be taken advantage of. Overtime, the President's responsibilities have grown. When the times change, the constitution has to change as well. When threats and new modern technology is threatening the people of the United States, you have to be able to fight and protect your country. With that being said, powers have to change in order
The United States Constitution is a very important document as it keeps America's government stable and the rules firm, but it did not just come from nowhere. It was written at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. There were historical events that led up to and helped the document be written. In the past, colonists have been treated unfairly by the British, the failure of the Articles of Confederation, and the British influences have heavily influenced writers of the Constitution. Overall, the failures of the Articles of Confederation, colonial experiences, and British influences all influenced the writers of the Constitution.