Constitution of 1787
“Constitution of 1787: Fulfillment or Betrayal of the Revolution”
The constitution of 1787 was a document formed in secrecy by delegates of the constitutional convention-taking place during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A four-page document that was completed and signed in on September 17, 1787. The meaning for the creation of this document was to establish the government in the United States. In discussion of this document the reason for this creation always comes into question, was it a fulfillment of the revolution or distinct betrayal. The revolution, which was started by radicals, objected to excessive state power and found instant success. Radicals were responsible for the abolition of slavery in the northern states, the separation of church and state in southern states, etc. On the other side of the American Revolution stood the American nationalists, seeking a strong American state with features similar to the 18th century British state, only without the British of course. The Revolution found a step in the right direction with the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. The articles were too strong however, making the central government permanent. During the darkest days of the war the nation ravaged by inflationary paper money, some of the more extreme nationalists in the Congress and the army sought a central government verging on a military dictatorship. George Washington’s unwillingness to sign or accept such a scheme, prevented this from happening, however, more moderate promoters of balanced government wanted to reopen the debate, while even some advocates of the Articles began to realize the need for revision. The articles were not ratified until 1781, only after the large states had agreed to renounce their claims to vast tracts of land in the West. The importance of the articles of confederation in regards to the constitution of 1787 is evident. The articles were the main form of authority during what is known as
The constitution of 1787 was a document formed in secrecy by delegates of the constitutional convention-taking place during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A four-page document that was completed and signed in on September 17, 1787. The meaning for the creation of this document was to establish the government in the United States. In discussion of this document the reason for this creation always comes into question, was it a fulfillment of the revolution or distinct betrayal. The revolution, which was started by radicals, objected to excessive state power and found instant success. Radicals were responsible for the abolition of slavery in the northern states, the separation of church and state in southern states, etc. On the other side of the American Revolution stood the American nationalists, seeking a strong American state with features similar to the 18th century British state, only without the British of course. The Revolution found a step in the right direction with the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. The articles were too strong however, making the central government permanent. During the darkest days of the war the nation ravaged by inflationary paper money, some of the more extreme nationalists in the Congress and the army sought a central government verging on a military dictatorship. George Washington’s unwillingness to sign or accept such a scheme, prevented this from happening, however, more moderate promoters of balanced government wanted to reopen the debate, while even some advocates of the Articles began to realize the need for revision. The articles were not ratified until 1781, only after the large states had agreed to renounce their claims to vast tracts of land in the West. The importance of the articles of confederation in regards to the constitution of 1787 is evident. The articles were the main form of authority during what is known as