...CONFEDERATION & CONSTITUTION Wendy Hill Chamberlain College of Nursing History 405 September, 2015 Confederation & Constitution In 1987, Americans celebrated the bicentennial of the signing of the Constitution of the United States. This document, which has served as "the Supreme Law of the Land" for more than two centuries, is the world's oldest written constitution still in use (Bloom, 1987). The United States Constitution is a foundation of basic laws and principles that defines the rights of American and sets limits on what the government can and cannot do. It provides the framework for the National government and establishes a system by which responsibilities are divided between the national government and the states' governments. The first Constitution was the Articles of the Confederation. In this essay I will compare the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution, analyze the drafting of the Constitution, and compare the debate over ratification between Federalist and ant-Federalist. The Articles of Confederation, which were ratified in 1781, providing the first form of a national government in the United States. When the United States won its independence from England in 1781, a majority of Americans felt a stronger allegiance to their individual states than to their new country. Most people did not wish to create a strong national government, over which they felt they would have little or no control. The Articles gave each state...
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...Ratifying the Constitution DBQ essay The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America, one of the greatest documents ever to be written, and the rope that keeps this vast nation tied together. Although this great document may seem flawless, many components and ideas have been amended and argued as allowed by “Article Five” of the U.S. Constitution. When writing and discussing the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention, many of the authors and scholars disagreed on the ratification of the Constitution whilst others favored the ratification of the famous document. Some claimed that liberty will be jeopardized and a tyrannical government may result, as stated in document two. Whilst others claimed that the Constitution was the solution to the political and economic struggles of the current government as stated in document one. The anti-federalists, led by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson favored a weaker central government; whilst the federalists, led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton favored a strong central government. Overall, the major arguments of the convention can be categorized into two groups, the ones who favored the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and those who didn’t. To continue, the scholars who favored the ratification of...
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...Confederation and Constitution United States History Professor: 9/30/12 The Articles of Confederation were a great start to shaping and unifying our country, but it was just that, a “start”. It needed to take the country as a whole into consideration in order for it to hold this unity in place. The Articles of Confederation led to the Constitution of the United States. Although similar in some aspects, very different in others. The articles had many weaknesses that were changed in the Constitution. There were many compromises made between the states in order to effectively draft the Constitution. Roger Sherman’s Plan kept the Constitutional Convention together which was later known as the Great Compromise. The fight for the Constitution had just begun and the ratification processes needed to take place. Even with some states being in favor of the Constitution it would take time to get the nine states needed to complete this process. The states in favor would called themselves The Federalist and those opposed were called the Anti-Federalist. The Federalist set out to change the mind of the remaining states with a series of letters that were written to newspapers. The Articles of Confederation were used as a base for the Constitution. The ideas from the Articles of Confederation were used in the writing of the Constitution. Both the Articles and the Constitution established “federal” systems of multiple sovereigns whose continued existence was constitutionally...
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...Historical Essay: Confederation and Constitution By History 405 Professor Aimee James January 26th, 2015 Historical Essay: Confederation and Constitution Confederation and Constitution As Colonial America moved from civil disobedience to open war with Britain, the States, at the behest of the Colonial Congress, started drafting constitutions and in the process “became laboratories for constitutional experimentation” ( Keene 120). The need to ensure a strong union and to ensure that it was strong enough to deal with both internal and external issues drove the colonies to send delegates to Albany to draft the Articles of Confederation. Ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation framed a new United States of America. The Articles of Confederation did not create a national government, “but rather a firm league of friendship” (Keene 121). Ultimately a fear of recreating the issues that were driving them from British rule shaped the Articles of Confederation and created a weak government with little power. It setup a national legislature called Congress where each state had one vote. It had no power to levy taxes, regulate commerce or otherwise interfere with the States. It could create money and declare war or peace. Notably any changes or amendments required a unanimous vote of Congress and “because of its weaknesses, Alexander Hamilton and other delegates called for a convention to be held in Philadelphia to improve and amend the Articles” (Articles of confederation...
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...DBQ Essay-Ratification of the Constitution: The Federalists’ Stance The ratification of the constitution was a process which was very controversial and tedious. The people chose sides because they were undereducated about the constitution and were easily influenced. The Federalists’ supported the ratification of the constitution because the Articles of Confederation was falling apart and was causing many domestic and foreign distresses. Massachusetts was perhaps most against the new constitution but even the editor of the Massachusetts Sentinel had to agree that the A.O.C could not be. The editor writes in his newspaper of the many domestic and foreign issues facing our country. He describes them as such “… the complaints of our farmers… the complaints of every class of public creditors…the melancholy faces of our working people…our ships rotting in our harbors…the insults that are offered to the American name and character in every court of Europe…View these things fellow citizens, and then say that we do not require a new, protecting, and efficient federal government if you can.” The editor proves how deplorable the domestic issues are and how pitiful the foreign are getting. He recognizes many issues that anti-federalists overlook in hunger for power control. This editor says that these domestic and foreign issues are a result of the A.O.C and that change was required to ease the hardships the American people were facing. Even what some people consider our nation’s...
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...This essay will discuss some of the main topics covered during this week’s readings. This essay will discuss the steps that must be taken to make amendments to the United States Constitution, the reasons the ten amendments that make up the Bill of Rights were successfully added to the United States Constitution and why the Equal Rights Amendment was not added. This essay will also discuss what ideology is and the differences between liberalism and conservatism and will lastly outline the differences between Dual Federalism and Cooperative Federalism. Let’s first discuss what steps must be taken to amend the United States Constitution. In order to amend the United States Constitution the amendments may be proposed by the United States Congress or by a national convention assembled at the request of the legislatures of at least two-thirds of the several states (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2012, pg. 53). Another method that can be used to make amendments to the United States Constitution is ratification, although this method in the past has rarely been used, but it can occur by two methods either by obtaining a positive vote of at least three-fourths of the legislatures of several states or by having special conventions called in the states and obtaining a positive vote in three-fourths of them (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2012, pg. 53). Congress has considered more than eleven thousand amendments to the Constitution, but only thirty-three amendments were submitted to the...
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...His trajectory encountered turbulent political crashes, particularly with Thomas Jefferson, underscoring the divisive landscape of early American politics. For instance, in the article “Alexander Hamilton,” regarding his work on the Constitution, it reveals “The differences between the two men would help shape the nation’s first political parties.” Hamilton’s challenges extended beyond ideological debates; he found himself in the midst of a complex battle for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. This tumultuous period saw him, alongside James Madison and John Jay, penning the Federalist Papers to sway public opinion and secure support. Wartime shortages added another layer of difficulty, as Hamilton confronted challenges to keep the Continental Army supplied. Yet, perhaps his most personal challenge was navigating a world that doubted his immigrant roots and questioned his...
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...The United States Constitution overcame the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and provided the organization of the new government. After the American Revolutionary War in America, the colonists needed a government so no one could take away their power.The Articles of Confederation were very weak and under them the new country was vulnerable and the states all were doing their own thing. During the Constitutional Convention, many compromises were made to make everyone in small and large states happy. Federalists wrote the Federalists Papers to gain support from the public. Anti- Federalists refused to sign things and protested the Constitution. To overcome the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation the newly formed United States...
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...Congress met for the first time on May 10, 1775 less than one month after the battles of Lexington and concord. On July 4 1776 the colonies declared independence of the United States from Great Britain. Each state would have to give up some of its power the states were afraid of giving up control for the government had had too much control in Britain. Daniel shays was a farmer rebellion leader and helped demand for help from new England. The first meeting was held in Philly on of the groups were feds and the other anti-feds. Virginia Plan Proposals 1. Legislature - bicameral (two houses of Congress) 2. Both houses based on population 3. Lower house - elected by the people 4. Upper house - elected by lower house 5. Three branches - executive, judicial, legislative6. Judicial and executive - both could veto laws 7. Congress could force a state to abide by federal laws. Smaller states objected to Proposal 2 of the Virginia Plan. It called for both houses of Congress to be based on population. The small states believed the large states would have too many representatives in both houses of Congress. The smaller states developed another proposal called the New Jersey Plan. New Jersey Plan Proposals 1. Unicameral (one house) legislature - all states equal. 2. Federal government - slightly increased power 3. Plural executive - elected by Congress 4. only one federal court The first attempt at self-government under the Articles of Confederation was ineffective. The Anti-Federalists...
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...Nation Edward Randolph was an exceedingly well educated man from Williamsburg, Virginia who characterized wisdom, dignity, and bravery. This paper will be giving you the opportunity to dig vastly into Edward Randolph character. This paper will also determine that Edward Randolph stood intensely for what he have faith in and he was not afraid to voice his opinion or embody what he felt was rational. In this essay, Governing the Nation I will deliver my perception on Edward Randolph philosophical ideals embodied by the Declaration of Independence, the comparisons and variances of both concepts in the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and how each of the ideas respectively affected Edward’s assigned role. I will choose one major disagreement for the ratification of the Constitution that Edward Randolph supported and will choose one major disagreement in contrast to the ratification that Edward Randolph would support. Furthermore, based on these two arguments my character, Edward Randolph, you will be able to tell if he supported the ratification of the Constitution. Edward Randolph was born on hot summer day in August 21, 1753 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Randolph was a Virginia planter and slave holder. He attended the College of William and Mary and just like his father, he wanted to pursue a career in law. Edward Randolph was a representative of the Virginia convention. In 1779, Edward Randolph inaugurated his term as Attorney General of Virginia. Edward served...
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... Throughout history the United of States experiences several of events. These events made an impact on our nation which left a mark. The impact of the events led to the changes of the constitution which are referred to as amendments. The original ten amendments made to the United States Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights, these were created by our forefathers. This essay will discuss, the understanding of why did our amendments became a part of the constitution, and what issues of the original documents motivated the adoption of the Bill of rights. People and the government are constantly making changes which could affect their lives as well as others. Therefore, there were many effects because the Bill of Rights. This essay will further discuss the problems with the original document, the changes in society, which led to later amendments, and the effect of those amendments. How and why the amendments become part of the Constitution In order to adjust to society constantly changing, there are changes made to the constitution. It is mention within an article that changes could be made to the constitution. Making changes involves proposing an amendment following ratification, through this process the amendment become a part of the constitution. This process consist of The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention...
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...Adams was a federalist one of his famous attributes was the argument about the stamp act of 1765. He wrote a response to the act called “Essay on the Canon and Feudal Law” in which he argued that: ‘the stamp act deprived American colonist of their rights to be taxed by consent and to be tried by a jury of their peers.’ He also made it clear that the act was null and void in a speech he sent out to the governor of Massachusetts along with his council. In 1796, Adams was elected as the federalist nominee for president. Thomas Jefferson led opposition. During his presidency France and Britain began a war, which started a political uproar for the United States causing Adams administration to focus on diplomatic efforts for France, when France denied the United States and later after the war died down Adams lost his favoritism from the public and lost his re-election to once opposed Thomas Jefferson. Alexander Hamilton born January 11, 1755 on the island of Nevis in the British West indies. Hamilton was part of George Washington’s administration, and one of the leading figures. Hamilton was also a nationalist, who stood for the “wealthy elite” meaning he believed the government should protect the wealthy. Hamilton’s goal in politics was to establish a stronger federal government under a new government. Hamilton believed that the constitution gave him ability to determine economic policies that will enable the central government. Differing from Adams, Hamilton was a bit more power...
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...Amendment Essay Twenty-seven amendments have been ratified since the original signing of the Constitution, the first ten of which are known as the Bill of Rights. The Amendments to the United States Constitution have had a major effect on American life. A major feature of the Constitution is the capability of changing the document in order for it to become accustomed to the changing times and conditions. There are a few methods in order to change the Constitution. An amendment proposed by 2/3rds vote in each house of congress could be approved by either one of two ways. It must be either ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislature or by the Constitutional Conventions in 3/4ths of the states. To approve an amendment proposed at a National Constitutional Convention it must also be ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures or by a Constitutional Convention in 3/4ths of the States. The First Amendment, freedoms, is one of the most known and the most important of all. A historical event that led to this amendment was that the new American settlers brought with them a desire for democracy and openness after the American Revolution. They left behind a history of tyranny and official control of information. Using this experience as their guide, the constitutional fathers wrote into their new Constitution a Bill of Rights, which contained the First Amendment. This Amendment was created so that the people would have the freedom to express themselves without worrying. Disagreement to...
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...| Historical Essay: | Confederation and Constitution | | Jason Sherman | | | The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. However, sanction of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, which resulted in most of the power residing with the state governments. The need for a stronger Federal government soon became apparent and eventually led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The present United States Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789 (Researchers, 2013). Some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that ultimately resulted in failure were the fact that each state only had one vote in Congress, regardless of size, Congress did not have the power to tax, Congress did not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, there was no executive branch to enforce any acts passed by Congress, there was no nation court system, Amendments to the Articles of Confederation required a unanimous vote, and laws required a 9/13 majority to pass in Congress. Under the Articles of Confederation, states often argued amongst themselves. They also refused to financially support the national government, who was also powerless to enforce any acts it did pass. Some states began making agreements...
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...HISTORICAL ESSAY #1 Confederation and Constitution The Articles of Confederation was agreed to by Congress on November 15, 1777 and was ratified and in force on March 1, 1781. By the year 1787, this new government had fallen short of the expectations of the people it was intended to govern. The weaknesses in The Articles of Confederation were numerous and had, in the thinking of many prominent men of that time, failed and would lead to a state of anarchy. There was such a sense of urgency to amend it that there seemed to be an atmosphere of panic among many of our Founding Fathers. John Dickenson and fellow members of the 2nd Continental Congress, weary of monarchy rule, had created the Articles of Confederation as a listing of twelve specific Powers given Congress by which to govern. Legislation required nine votes to pass. Each state had only one vote and this was problematic to the larger states, as their problems, more often than not, were based on a larger population and it was not unusual that the smaller states didn’t understand or want to pay for the solutions. Some lesser acts did not require nine votes to pass, but simply a majority of those present. Acts of Significant Consequence did require nine votes. The trouble with all of this was that even if nine votes could be achieved, there was no enforcement of law to be implemented by Congress. Congress could make law but not enforce it. It could charge states for their share of national...
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