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The rise of the British empire
Effects of declaration of independence on the us constitution
The rise of the British empire
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After America’s independence from Britain in 1776, states began to experiment with their newfound freedom by drafting constitutions. The Virginia Constitution came about on June 29, 1776 followed by the Massachusetts Constitution in March 2, 1780. Both the Virginia and Massachusetts Constitutions helped contribute to the United States Constitution that succeeded them. Values and concepts from both state constitutions can be seen in the constitution of the United States.
The significance surrounding the Virginia Constitution is that it acted as a pioneer to the Declaration of Independence. The beginning of The Virginia Constitution indicted King George III of multiple wrongdoings against the American colonists. From taxation without representation to the burning down of towns, George Mason and James Madison drafted the constitution to break ties with the motherland of Great Britain. The Virginia Constitution laid down the groundwork of all governmental activity by setting up three separate branches of government — legislative, executive, and judiciary. From there, the legislative branch was made up of two parts, the House of Delegates and The Senate. The General Assembly of Virginia was formed for the two branches of Legislature to meet at least once a year. The House of Delegates consisted of two representatives from each county and district of West- Augusta to be sent annually. One representative was to be sent from the city of Williamsburgh, Norfolk, and any future city. However, if the next seven years brought about less than half the number of voters in one county of Virginia, then that county shall not send a representative to the Assembly. The Senate consisted of twenty-four members who were a resident of the district and...
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...Massachusetts Constitutions helped make up the federal constitution. The main difference between the federal and state constitutions is the roll of a president and vice president and the requirements needed for senate and representative positions.
Works Cited
"Massachusetts Constitution (March 2, 1780)." Pearson. Pearson Education. Web. 13 Feb 2014. .
"The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights." Pearson. Pearson Education. Web. 13 Feb 2014. .
"Virginia Constitution, not including the Bill of Rights (June 29, 1776)." Pearson. Pearson Education. Web. 13 Feb 2014. .
The Bill of Rights was crafted in 1791 by James Madison. It was put in place to protect the rights of all people within the borders of the United States when it is applied by the government. It is a very important document that means a lot in the hearts of Americans.
At the time, larger states like Virginia were creating an unfair amount of power for themselves that the small states didn’t have. In the new government, Congress was created to make laws, and was made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives would give states a number of Representatives they could have based on their population. This would give fair power deserved to the larger states. The Senate however would be two and only two Senators for each state, no matter how large or small, bringing some equality to Congress.
The thirteen states formed a Confederation referred to as the “league of friendship” in order to find a solution for common problems such as foreign affairs.The Articles of Confederation was the nation’s first Constitution. The articles created a loose Confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to the central government. Each state would have one vote in the house of Congress, no matter the size of the population. Members of the one-house Congress, such as Pennsylvania, agreed that the new government should be a unicameral legislature, without an executive branch or a separate judiciary. Under the articles, there wasn’t a strong independent executive. There wasn’t any judicial branch but Congress had the authority to arbitrate disputes between states. Congress was responsible for conducting foreign affairs, declaring war or peace, maintaining an army and navy and a variety of other lesser functions. But the articles denied Congress the power to collect taxes, regulate interstate commerce and enforce laws. Because of this, the central government had to request donations from the states to finance its operations and raise armed forces.
The United States Constitution is a national government that consist of citizen’s basic rights and fundamental laws. This document was signed on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia by the majority of representatives. Today, the United States Constitution’s purpose is to supply a strong central government. However, before the United States Constitution was developed, many citizens did not support the constitution due to the fact that they found it contradicting and detached from the original goals of the Declaration of Independence. These citizens were known as anti-federalists. Fortunately, George Washington was a supporter of the constitution and had an enormous impact in the public support of the constitution. With a few adjustments, some
On a final note, both Constitutions were created for the same purpose namely, to withhold the fundamental principles of a nation. They are governed by a group of people who limit and regulate the basic rules. Texas has had a constitution for each political condition of its history.
The Articles of Confederation were approved by Congress on November 15, 1777 and ratified by the states on March 1, 1781. It was a modest attempt by a new country to unite itself and form a national government. The Articles set up a Confederation that gave most of the power to the states. Many problems arose and so a new Constitution was written in 1787 in Independence Hall. The new Constitution called for a much more unified government with a lot more power. Let us now examine the changes that were undertaken.
The Virginia Plan was written by James Madison and was proposed at the 1787 Constitutional Convention where they talked about completely rewriting a new version of the Articles of Confederation. One of the ideas that was brought forth that we still use today is that the three branches of government be separated and a national government that makes the laws for citizens and states. Secondly, we see that the congress would be divided into a lower and upper house; whereas the lower house is chosen by the citizens and the upper house is chosen by the senators. Then lastly, we see that the Constitution established specifically a chief of justice and allowing congress to decided however many justices. There were many debates and proposals brought forth to try and appease everyone; however, the separation of branches, the division of the houses, and declaring a single chief justice were three factors that we see strongly in our government today. Although, the original Virginia Plan isn’t exactly what was passed it has still shown great success in our country
Government. "The Bill of Rights: A Transcription." National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration, 15 Jan. 2007. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.
Over the following decade following the Declaration of Independence, the appointed leaders created the U.S. Constitution (1787), which established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens (History.com).
Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. 1791 - 1991 The Bill Of Rights and Beyond. Commission on the Bicentennial of the Unites States Constitution, 1990.
The United States constitution sets forth the nations supreme laws it establishes the national government and defines the inalienable rights and liberties of every citizen the creation of the constitution was a process that involved promises and struggle among the founding fathers of the nation. The victory of the confederate states in the revolutionary war presented the independent states with the major challenge of establishing a peacetime government following the victory of the confederacy reaction, but also an understanding reaction thus introducing a document that provided the laws of the land. The states had several different reactions in creating the Constitution. The constitution directed its attention to many problems in this country; it offered quite a challenge because the document was suitable to several views
In creating the Constitution, the states had several different reactions, including a rather defensive reaction, but also an understanding reaction. As a document that provided the laws of the land and the rights of its people. It directs its attention to the many problems in this country; it offered quite a challenge because the document lent itself to several views and interpretations, depending upon the individual reading it. It is clear that the founders’ perspectives as white, wealthy or elite class, American citizens would play a role in the creation and implementation of The Constitution.
Constitution of the United States. (n.d.). National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/
In this essay we will discuss about the US Constitution and the Constitution of North Carolina. The US Constitution being the law of our whole nation as stated in the Supremacy Clause (US.6.2.2). The US constitution was created on September 17, 1787. The NC constitution was created in 1776. Overall, I will discuss the similarities and differences of both constitutions.
Our bill of rights all began when James Madison, the primary author of the constitution, proposed 20 amendments for the bill of rights and not the ten we know of today. Madison sent these twenty proposed rights through the house and the senate and was left with twelve bill of rights. Madison himself took some out. These amendments were then sent to the states to be ratified. Virginia was the tenth state out of the fourteenth states to approve 10 out of 12 amendments. This two-third majority was necessary to make the bill of rights legal. On December 15, 1791 the bill of rights were finally ratified.