How did the events that led to US independence and the historical context influence the US Constitution?
The Declaration of Independence is a pillar of American history that has had a significant effect on the Constitution and the organization of the United States government. The Declaration of Independence declared the United States free of British control and outlined a philosophy of individual rights and liberties (CrashCourse, 2013). This text influenced the development of the framework for the United States Constitution, which provides individuals certain rights and liberties while ensuring the existence of a strong federal government to preserve those rights (CrashCourse, 2013). In essence, the language and concepts included in this
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The significance of Shays' Rebellion on the drafting of the United States Constitution may be observed in its impact on public opinion, role in influencing constitutional discussions, and potential to shape future public policy (CrashCourse, 2013). The lessons acquired through Shays' Rebellion acted as a wake-up call to the Founding Fathers, resulting in a stronger central government with greater authority to defend individual rights and liberties for all Americans. For example, one of the biggest flaws in the Article of Confederations was its inability to collect taxes, so the founding fathers found it necessary to create a document that would allow governments to raise funds to protect the interests of individuals (CrashCourse, …show more content…
How does the US Constitution limit “the power of the people”?
The United States Constitution is the primary law of the country, serving to limit "the power of the people" by safeguarding their individual rights and liberties (CrashCourse, 2013). The Constitution assigns some rights to the federal government while reserving others to state governments through its enumerated powers (CrashCourse, 2013). Furthermore, it provides civil rights like freedom of speech and religion, protection from illegal searches and seizures, jury trial, etc. (CrashCourse, 2013). These clauses ensure that people’s rights are protected and that they are not violated by the government.
What were the main arguments of those in favor and against ratifying the Constitution?
When it was initially proposed, the United States Constitution was a contentious document. Those in favor of ratifying the Constitution asserted that it established a strong national government and ensured justice and liberty for all individuals, while those opposed contended that it established an overly powerful central government and eroded state rights (CrashCourse, 2013). The battle over ratifying the Constitution was raging, with both sides presenting strong points that are still being contested
After the rebellion was squashed, many americans were alarmed that a mob of farmers were able to take over the Massachusetts government - even for a short time. The “commotions sufficiently shocked (George) Washington to set him on the road to Philadelphia” (Larson, 236 ) to rewrite the Articles of confederation and to make a new constitution. During the constitutional convention, the authors of the document gave lots of power to the central government to prevent another mob from taking over a government again. Because of the constitution, the federal government also received the power to tax all the states and pass laws that could hurt farmers (“Article I:”). This shows that Daniel Shays rebellion was unsuccessful because it went against the goals of the rebellion of getting taxed less and having having pro debtor laws.
Riyana Patel 12/6/15 Mr. Riotto US 1 H Chapter 7 Summary The chapter starts of with a detailed description of events before a series of protests from 1786-1787 known as Shay’s Rebellion, led by Daniel Shay in Western Massachusetts. This rebellion was to overthrow the state government by going against the Springfield arsenal; this movement was an example of the weakened government and led to the ratification and adoption of the United States Constitution. With the end of the royal authority the Continental Congress became the national government and formed state governments that were governed by the people. Although by the end of 1777 Articles of Confederation were proposed by John Dickinson, in order to help keep
Shays’ Rebellion greatly alarmed politicians throughout the nation. The Constitutional improve the national level of the
When looking at words Thomas Jefferson used in historical documents, conclusions can be drawn about what he might think today about protestors. Many groups choose to voice their needs by means of protest, and I believe Jefferson would support these actions based on two of his writings: the Declaration of Independence and a letter to a friend about Shay’s Rebellion. An example of evidence to support my claim comes first from the Declaration of Independence, “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness), it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it (government). Jefferson shows a strong belief in this line that it is ultimately up to the people
Two different views, two different types of people, but both share the same purpose to help the country. The American revolution was successfully won, but the struggle to on how to govern this newborn country was up for debate. The Articles of Confederation were instituted, but soon they proved to be inadequate to govern the United States after the incident with Shay’s rebellion. Shay’s Rebellion was a group composed of farmers and veterans who were overtaxed and the government had not compensated their efforts in the American Revolution. This group planned to overthrow the government by raiding an arsenal, but the state militia from Massachusetts was able to help.
The rebellion was a sign of justification for constitutional reform. As a result, the Articles of Confederation were revised not long after the end of the rebellion, thus the new consitution was signed on September 17th, 1787. In a way, Shay’s Rebellion also resulted in geographical change. With the new constitution, slavery was left out of the discussion, which paved the way for tensions to rise and cause the American Civil War.
The Constitution of the United States was written in 1787, but there was a grapple for its ratification that went on until about two decades after the ratification. Members of Congress believed that the first government of the United States or the Articles of Confederation, needed to be adjusted while others did not want anything to change. After the Revolutionary War, the people did not want a strong central government, because it reminded them too much of what they were trying to escape from. Under the Articles, each state had their own laws, and the need for a new Constitution was desired by many. The Constitution of 1787 created huge debates, arguments and splits in the nation that lasted for several year after its ratification between people who
In the following paragraph, I will describe to you the different arguments that the Federalists and Anti-Federalists had with ratifying the Constitution. Our Constitution should involve focusing on the common good and civic virtue of the people. There is no need for an overwhelming amount of power provided for the national government to where they make all of the decisions for us. A Bill of Rights would give us such things as the right to speak freely and make our own decisions that we, as a people, think is necessary for the common good. This writing will describe all of these points that support the Anti-Federalists and the reason to reject the new Constitution.
The United States of America is a country that has been shaped by multiple important documents and events through its history. These documents have played a significant role in defining the nation's values, principles, and laws between foreign and domestic ailars. in this essay. I will explore the impact of five of these documents. the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation.
The new constitution, a document granting the framework for a new democratic government, replacing the Articles of the Confederation. This new document gained approval from some of the citizens, but also raised questions and concerns from others. There was a constant back and forth between the two groups on whether or not the constitution should be ratified. This editorial provides historical background on the issue and expresses my opinion on which side I would’ve chosen.
The establishment of the Constitution after the failed Articles of Confederation remains a source of controversy among American citizens even in modern times. In his essay “The Hope of the Framers to Recruit Citizens to Enter Public Life,” Jack N. Rakove accurately argues that the Constitution was meant to be an avenue for the people to enter into and be involved in politics, and for the government to be involved in the peoples’ lives in order to ensure a non-autocratic future for the new nation. An element of the Constitution through which the Framers ensured the freedom and political participation of American citizens was the Bill of Rights. “The principal result of the ratification debates was the acceptance of an idea that the framers
History is written by the victors, is a common saying used to describe the inequality of information available from different viewpoints of an issue. This idea holds true when it comes to the United State’s Constitution. For years, American students are taught all the positives of the document with little attention to the negatives. But those against the ratification of the Constitution, the Anti-federalists, had valid issues with the Constitution, some of which are still relevant almost 230 years in the future. The Constitution, legally speaking, shouldn’t even have been created.
In Danielle Allen’s article for The Atlantic, “The Flawed Genius of the Constitution,” she explores her opinion regarding the U.S. Constitution through analyzing its origin along with its current standing as a historical document. The Constitution is arguably one of the most fundamental legal documents that continues to define our nation today. However, the foundation of the Constitution and its initial implications have been frowned upon for decades. Two of the most essential aspects of the Constitution, universal suffrage and freedom for all, were not defended by the document upon its initial ratification. As such, to be “in support” of the constitution is a convoluted claim with many connotations; in her article, Allen works to sort through
DBQ Essay The United States Constitution is a document that or founding fathers made in order to replace the failing Articles of Confederation (A of C). Under the Constitution, the current government and states don’t have the problems they faced when the A of C was in action. The Constitution was created in 1788, and held an idea that the whole nation was nervous about. This idea was a strong national government, and the Federalist assured the people that this new government would work. The framers of the Constitution decided to give more power to the Federal government rather than the state governments because the A of C had many problems, there was a need for the layout of new government, rights, and laws, and there was a need for the Federal
The Constitution—the foundation of the American government—has been quintessential for the lives of the American people for over 200 years. Without this document America today would not have basic human rights, such as those stated in the Bill of Rights, which includes freedom of speech and religion. To some, the Constitution was an embodiment of the American Revolution, yet others believe that it was a betrayal of the Revolution. I personally believe that the Constitution did betray the Revolution because it did not live up to the ideals of the Revolution, and the views of the Anti-Federalists most closely embodied the “Spirit of ‘76.” During the midst of the American Revolution, authors and politicians of important documents, pamphlets, and slogans spread the basis for Revolutionary ideals and defined what is known as the “Spirit of ‘76”.