“We the People” these three seemingly small, insignificant words have held significant meaning for American citizens since 1789, when the Constitution was ratified, but in drastically different ways. The American way of life has expanded in some ways but has been minimized in others. After the United States won their independence from Great Britain, a unitary government, one of the first things we did was establish a government (Ginsberg, Benjamin, et al. 35). Our first Constitution was not the one we live by today, but the Articles of Confederation.
In order to determine whether or not the Constitution would pass, the leaders would have to get approval from nine out of the thirteen colonies. New York’s place in the new republic was crucial due to its large population and geographic location (“On This Day” 1). Hamilton published the Federalist Papers in the newspapers in New York in order to reach out to the people of New York and persuade them to support the Constitution. The first Federalist Paper mainly discusses how the Constitution will benefit the people of New York. He begins by mentioning how the people of New York are “called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America” (Hamilton 1).
Maryland and South Carolina had ratified, which made 8 state ratification. Federalists were afraid that that Virginia, a large and powerful state, might reject the pact, then New York and the other remaining states might do so as well. However in June, 1788, while Virginia was still in debating, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, which could allow for the Constitution to go into effect. In time, New York and North Carolina followed. Rhode Island was the last state to ratify in May, 1790.
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, once said, “The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straight jacket. In its elasticity lies its chief greatness.” In 1787 the delegates from twelve out of thirteen sates attended the Constitutional Convention. They threw away the Articles of Confederation and wrote Constitution of the United States. Many residences were hesitant to the sudden change, but as time went along people came around to the fact that the Constitution was useful. Although the Constitution is viewed as completely binding, it does allow for changes to be made, giving it flexibility to the changing times.
Have you ever wondered who developed the U.S. from it’s roots? George Washington helped our country sprout from the beginning and did many other phenomenal things. George Washington was a the commander of the Virginia Militia at first but then later became the commander of the Continental Army. George Washington was an important leader and left a legacy because George Washington led the Continental Army, after the Continental Army he became president, and he helped create our country and develop a good country. George Washington showed leadership when he led the Continental Army, he had a huge legacy when he was president and showed leadership, and he developed our country which led him to have another legacy and he showed a lot of leadership.
After Jefferson had finished writing his “rough draft” of the declaration, the committee made some final changes (“Declaration of Independence). Finally on July, 4th 1776, the Declaration of Independence was finally adopted (“Declaration of Independence). Although the document is titled the Declaration of Independence, it did not “establish” the colonies independence. The declaration only stated a cause for action, and after it was adopted there was no “turning back” (“Declaration of Independence). On July 8th, 1776, the city of Philadelphia met at the state house which today is now called Independence Hall to hear the declaration read aloud (“Declaration of Independence).
Benjamin Franklin was also famously called the “First Citizen of the 18th Century”. He was a man of many trades, and he was also famous for the “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” and for his work in electrical theory as well. Benjamin Franklin organized the United States the first lending library and volunteer fire department. Benjamin scientific pursuits were to investigate into the electricity and mathematics on map-making too. He helped with the draft of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and he also negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris, that was marked as the end of the Revolutionary War.
Did you know that the only non-presidents on US paper currency are Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton? However, Alexander Hamilton has more to do with American political history than you may realize. He changed the way the American government works and how it continues to work to this day. Hamilton lived an influential life, he had a rough childhood but was able to overcome it and rise to great things. Alexander Hamilton is an important historical figure.
Brittany Morrison H340- Professor Cappello October 30, 2017 Letter to James Duane Alexander Hamilton September 03, 1780 The American Constitution is a vital segment of the United States’ foundation-- it was the premise of a unique government that did not exist before its time. Although, prior to the Constitution The Founding Fathers of the United States sought to establish a government that would not exploit the American people the way the British government had done so. With considerable fear of corruption, standing armies and lack of representation the Articles of Confederation was enacted. At the outset, the A.O.C had achieved exactly what it was written to do-- supply the governed people with the power over the government. In the near
Barlow’s The Vision of Columbus (1787) and his later work, The Columbiad (1807) followed the same nationalistic idea and suffered the same deficiency; those two works were the result of his attempts to make American epics while using European forms and style (39). The Columbiad, which was the revised and extended version of The Vision of Columbus, covered the history of America, both north and south from the time of Christopher Columbus, then the Revolution and finally the prosperous future of the new nation. The main subject was not the ‘past,’ but the promising future of the New World. “My object is altogether of a moral and political nature,” Barlow (1754-1812) declared in the preface to this work; “I wish to encourage and strengthen, in