The Constitution of the States

The Constitution of the States

     The Constitution Convention means a gathering to make the final refinement of a successful government. One of the most influential on the Constitution was James Madison. He was called the “Father of the Constitution”. He had an idea that was to find a way to extend the local authorities.  The men who helped James to write the constitution were not interested in protecting popular sovereignty they were restraining it.

     James Madison, father of the constitution, once said “at once support…the national authority, and leave in force the local authority”. He studied philosophy and then he believes that people are naturally selfish creatures driven by powerful emotions and personal interest. The Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House was a very exciting scene.

        The Virginia Plan became the focus of discussion against which all other ideas were weighed. The Convention became divided and the creation of a bicameral, two houses, and national government was created. Representatives were send in proportion to the number of citizens. They tax its citizens and it would have the power of veto. Veto was an idea that frightened some because it would give the national government greater power than the state.

       New Jersey Plan was a plan that gives Congress the power to tax and would create executive and judicial branches equal vote in a unicameral congress.  This plan ensured that the states would remain the most powerful governments in America. The Great Compromise was on July 16, the legislative branch would be made up of two houses. One house was called the House of Representatives that each state would have a number of representatives that corresponded to the size of its population. The second house was called Senate and every state would have an equal number of representatives. The Three- fifth Compromise enslaved people would be counted, but then the total would be multiplied by three fifths.

     The constitution called for a separation of power among the three branches.  The power of government at the national level would be divided among legislative, executive and judicial branches.  Each branch would be able to check, or stop, the others in certain way. The Congress power made two third votes of both houses. This government structure is known as the system of checks and balance.  Each state would have as many electoral votes as it had members of Congress. Whoever received the majority of the votes in the meeting of the electors, the Electoral College, would become President.

      Supporters of the Constitution were called Federalist. They had been nationalist. Leaders included George Washington. They stood for a strong federal government and its most influential statement was “The federalist” by Hamilton Madison. They argued that without the united stated would be degenerated. In the Federalist Number Ten, no one faction would be able to control the government. The Anti- Federalist was certain that the new government would be the death of American liberty. Was lead by old revolutionary figures like Patrick Henry. They condemned the constitution as betrayal of American Revolution. They feared more the government that the people. They objected to the new federal court system. For the Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation, nine states had to ratify or approve it. In December 1791 the resulting ten amendments became part of the documents, they are known as the Bill of Rights.

       Thomas Jefferson was the secretary of state. Jefferson supported the Constitution and the addition of a Bill of Rights. Then he became the president of the United States. Washington chose Jefferson to be secretary of state because he had experience dealing with France, still the closest ally of the new republic. Alexander Hamilton was also a Treasury Secretary. Jefferson and Hamilton were on a collision course. Jefferson never trusted government and remained idealistic about the people and Hamilton believed that the government power, properly used, could accomplish great things.

    One of the most influential on the Constitution was James Madison. The Great Compromise was on July 16, the legislative branch would be made up of two houses. One house was called the House of Representatives and the second house was called Senate. Supporters of the Constitution were called Federalist. Anti- Federalist was certain that the new government would be the death of American liberty.  Thomas Jefferson and Hamilton were both secretaries with different believes about government.

James Madison