Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Colonists and the Constitution

 

            After the succession from England the colonies attempted to govern themselves as sovereign nations. It was clear that this system established under the Articles of Confederation wasn't working. In order to unify this new nation the Framers of the new constitution were given the monumental task of creating a new form of government. The Federalist, No. 7. proclaimed "America, if not connected at all or only by the feeble tie of a simple league. would be gradually entangled in all the pernicious labyrinths of European politics and wars " (pg.). They envisioned a system that was equal and fair for everyone. A system that had the interest of the people at its core with a strong central government to protect the liberties and freedoms they had fought so hard to obtain. The original constitution was a frame that mostly favored a strong central government and did its best to include the citizens in its rule, but still possessed the ability to infringe on the rights and power of the people it governed. .
             This Constitution was completed September 17, 1787 and established a strong central government but did little to address the individual's rights. It consisted of seven Articles that primarily established three branches of government, their powers and the checks and balances for that power. The few individual rights addressed in the original Constitution included Article I, Section 9 concerning the Writ of Habeas Corpus, Article III, Section 2 providing for the right of trial by jury and Article IV, Section 2 limiting the ability of states discriminating in favor of its citizens in respect to certain fundamental rights. .
             .
             According to many state representatives this was the biggest problem with The Constitution. In its original form it didn't protect the rights and freedoms of the people of this newly independent nation who had just fought a revolution against England for this very reason.


Essays Related to The Colonists and the Constitution