The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the structure of the federal government, the relationship between the federal government and the states, and the rights of the citizens. It was written during the Philadelphia Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and was later ratified by conventions in each state. Here are key details about its history, content, and significance:
The need for a new Constitution arose due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had been the initial framework for the new nation. The Articles created a weak central government that could not effectively manage interstate issues, finance the Revolutionary War debt, or regulate trade. The Annapolis Convention in 1786, called by James Madison, highlighted these issues, leading to the call for a convention to revise the Articles. However, the convention delegates decided to draft an entirely new document instead.
The Constitution is divided into three main parts:
The Constitution required ratification by conventions in nine of the thirteen states to take effect. This process was completed on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify. The process was contentious, with debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists on the scope of federal power and the need for a Bill of Rights.
The U.S. Constitution has had a profound impact: