All throughout history the largest and most successful nations, empires, and dynasties have thrived due to one main point: their foundation. Just as the Romans had their own constitution as a basis for the moral code of laws and infrastructure based on one document, the United States has their very own constitution. Consisting of a total of 27 amendments, 10 original and 17 later added, America has relied on this document and its various functions as a basis for running and maintaining the country for years on end. The constitution acts in the way of a parent or parents to a young child. The child appreciates and sees what his or her guardians does for them, but does not truly realize how each aspect of their daily lives is heavily influenced …show more content…
The 26th Amendment comes into focus as it greatly changed the nation. During the 1960’s when The United States were at war with Vietnam and communism, a draft was ordered in order to replenish the dwindling supply of American soldiers. Once eighteen years old, all men and women were eligible for the draft, despite still not being able to vote for government officials. Youth voting quickly gained many backers, and despite being favored by nearly all people, it was still viewed by then president Richard Nixon. Over time the government began to truly see the value of this ratification of this amendment to the Constitution. The Constitution, although the complete backbone of our nation, is not quite as perfect as we may believe, just as we may view our parents as invincible and yet they do fail at times. Learning from mistakes is what makes a parent the perfect guardian for a child, just as the Constitution learning from its mistakes makes it the perfect backbone of our nation. The ability to ratify and add onto the document becomes crucial as we maintain arguably the strongest central government in the world. The United States has taken pride itself for years due to its guaranteeing of the most basic human rights to all people, including criminals. For someone born and raised in the United States this may seem normal and not one bit out of
In conclusion, for the United States Constitution to be ratified, there had to be the Great Compromise, a system of checks and balances, and even a way to change the Constitution so that as the society it governed evolved, it could as well. It was formed by years of collective knowledge and experience, and it continues to protect the American citizens from threats to
The constitution of the United States is an insightful and revolutionary idea of how a government should be practiced in order to prevent a greedy, corrupt form of government from establishing and taking over its people. The US government is founded on the principle that it works for its people, meaning that whatever is legislated is meant only for the benefit of the American people. However, the Constitution is at this point flawed due to the fact that many of its proclamations are vague and outdated, and has to be left to interpretation as to what the framers truly intended of it. This is dangerous because it further divides the nation when Americans believe in different forms of what is constitutionally righteous, and this may start a civil
The US Constitution has “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our
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
“Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers.” ( Federalists No. 2). As a fairly new country we are quick to abolish beliefs and ideals we create; the Articles of confederation has spawned a weak and tenderfoot government. As a lawyer with a beautiful family living in Pennsylvania, the governmental system at this moment is not granted the strength needed to refine, direct, and protect our rights and liberties. The weakness of the Articles of Confederation are showcased through: the lack of power to tax or regulate trade, an army to enforce rules,
“Let our government be like that of the solar system. Let the general government be like the sun and the states the planets, repelled yet attracted, and the whole moving regularly and harmoniously in several orbits.” said John Dickinson, a Delaware Delegate in 1787 (constitutionfacts.com). The United States has a government that, for the most part, flows smoothly. However, our governing documents have not always been so harmonious.
Following the framing of the constitution and the conclusion of the constitutional convention, political debate quickly developed as the ratification process began. As state representatives returned to their states, the press had already began shaping public opinion with the dispersion of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers. Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and Anti-Federalists such as George Mason, Thomas Paine and George Clinton wrote with the intention of influencing the opinions of the American populace and the state legislatures charged with ratifying the constitution. These factions created the first instance of political parties, and the compromise between the two during the debate of ratification had a great influence on the American constitution. A primary
On September 17th, 1787, a new nation was signed into existence: a nation built upon the promise of liberty, and the fear of authoritarian power. The framer’s of this nation put great care into their plan to limit the executive authority, out of apprehension that this new nation would return to the monarchy that they had just escaped. The United States of America was a nation with high hopes, and with no knowledge of the greatness it would emit, nor of the hardships it would endure. The constitution that the United States Framers created was obsolete by the turn of the 19th century, and had to be consistently amended to contend with the changing times. More than anything else in the government, the role of the executive authority in the United
The Constitution, a document written and signed in 1787 by the Philadelphia Convention, was created after many of the country's leaders at the time had become dissatisfied with the structure of government created by the Articles of Confederation. The intention of the Constitution was so it could withstand the drastic changes of the forever improving U.S. Government. Throughout Richard Stengel’s work, “One Document, Under Siege”, there is a common theme stating that the Constitution is a living document that could withstand conflict and opposition. For a start, Richard Stengel uses many examples throughout his work to prove his point, that the Constitution was a living, breathing document, and that it was the intentions of our Founders to
Nothing is more basic than the set of laws and rights that U.S. Constitution provides for us as Americans. But very few people know where the Founding Fathers actually got their inspiration. Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. constitution was heavily influenced by an old Indian Confederacy born in the mid-16th century. This confederation, however, is the mighty Iroquois Nation, who has been living by their own constitution, unified in peace, for over 800 years. The founding fathers were brilliant men, and yes, they were very intelligent, but they did not just pull words out of their rear ends and write it down on a piece of paper.
Compare the history of how we got to our current constitution to something else and why that is so? A constitution is literally a rule book. It states many different things in it. It sets up major governing institutions, assigns institutions their given power, and places explicit and implicit control on power that given to them. A constitution establishes literal legitimacy, it’s the real deal.
The Constitution of the united states of America means to me my rights as an American citizen. The constitution makes me feel safe from the government because it protects my rights. It lets me know the government power over the people, and the laws they can make and the laws they can not make. The Constitution ensures my freedom as an American. It is a very important document for the United States of American for the president to follow.
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”.
What are the Historical Influences of United States Constitution? It is known that people all over the world have come to the United States, to create a better life for their families and themselves. The United States is known for having the best form of government for people to be included and have a say in their beliefs. What many people do not know is, what influenced the United States Constitution and the founding fathers in writing.
Since the times when horses and buggies filled the streets to now, where we have created cars that run on renewable energy, our Constitution has stood strong. Since the times of our Founding Fathers the Constitution has worked to stabilize our government, so why is there a need to change it? It includes all of our basic freedoms, and gives us a