Birth of the Constitution of the United States

The American Constitution, ratified in 1788

While the Articles of Confederation were a milestone in the development of American unity and solidarity, they proved to be an imperfect form of government at best. Their weaknesses intensified the growing pains of a new nation and vividly pointed to the many problems the country faced at home and abroad. Independence, brought new fears and anxieties, and many concluded that if the nation was to survive, the Articles would need to be revised` and the new central government would have to be discarded. Threats of social revolution, such as Shays' Rebellion and the economic crises that spawned it, and disrespect and contempt from the European powers only affirmed the desperate need to do something.

Out of the summer of 1787 came a remarkable document, the Constitution of the United States. This document, representing all types of compromises strengthened the national government while simultaneously protecting the rights of the states and individual liberties. It would be continually tested through the ages, but it would endure. The United States was no longer a petty confederation of thirteen separate states, it was now a nation in more than just name.

1787-1788

• The Northwest Ordinance creates equality of new states entering the Union and prohibits the expansion of slavery into the Northwest territory.

• Constitutional Convention meets in Philadelphia. At that meeting state delegates approve the completed draft of the Constitution.

• John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton published The Federalist Papers .

• All states but Rhode Island and North Carolina ratified the Constitution.

1789

• George Washington is elected president under the new Constitution.

• The new Congress adopts the Bill of Rights.

• The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress.

• North Carolina becomes the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution

• Congress passes the revenue-raising Tariff and Tonnage Acts. Although the purpose of the tariff was to raise money desperately need by the new government, it also gave slight protection to certain industries. The Tonnage Act taxed foreign vessels which docked at American ports.

• Congress also established various executive departments of the new government.

• Thomas Jefferson was named secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton becomes secretary of the treasury and Henry Knox was named secretary of war, Samuel Osgood was appointed postmaster general, and Edmund Randolph became attorney general.

• The French Revolution (1789 - 1795) begins. The French Revolution encouraged American partisan politics, since America was closely tied economically tied to Britain. It was Alexander Hamilton's belief in the English political system that created these ties. The Federalists were frightened and shocked by events in France and sought to prevent that form of revolutionary spirit from infecting the United States.

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Preamble  

Signing of the Constitution
September 17, 1787

Thirty-nine of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document that revolutionized the institution of government.

1940 painting by
Howard Chandler Christy
The American History Videodisc
Instructional Resources Corporation,
Annapolis, MD 21403

The Father of Our Country

George Washington
(1789-1797)

Portrait of George Washington
by Rembrandt Peale

Music: Freedom by Richard Einhorn,
The Nashville Symphony,
Kenneth Schermerorn, Conductor,
Mark O'Connor, Liberty, © 1997
Sony Entertainment Inc.