The Formation of the U.S. Constitution: Debates, Compromises, and Legacy
A detailed review of the formation of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on key debates, compromises, and its long-term impact.
Sophia Johnson
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United States Constitution 2
United States Constitution
Since its inception in 1787, the U.S. Constitution has been considered as the oldest and
most influential document. It laid down the principles and foundation which helped shape U.S.
as a nation, and the more than one hundred countries that used it as a model for creating their
own Constitution (Constitutionfacts.com, n.a.). But the circumstances during its creation were
critical. The American War of Independence (1775-1783) against Great Britain had ended with
the signing of the Treaty of Paris that gave sovereignty to the U.S. in 1783. However, four years
later, the United States was still not yet quite united. It was under a confederation—where the
states remained sovereign and independent, and the powers of the central government rests on
the approval of member-states. A transformation of its political system to federalism -where
central government is essential in uniting and leading all member states was believed to be
imperative by some head of states. Therefore, the existing Articles of Confederation at that time
had to be changed (History.com Staff, 2009).
Having just emerged from the American Revolution that started as an opposition against
the British government’s taxation, there was much caution and fear about the power of a US
federal government and what rights each state have. This created numerous debates from
various political parties during the creation of the U.S. Constitution (Constitutionfacts.com, n.a.).
The following sections highlight these debates that formed the U.S. Constitution as we know
today.
1. Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution of 1787
The Articles of Confederation was adopted by thirteen states in 1777, right after the
American Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was considered as the first constitution of the
United States Constitution
Since its inception in 1787, the U.S. Constitution has been considered as the oldest and
most influential document. It laid down the principles and foundation which helped shape U.S.
as a nation, and the more than one hundred countries that used it as a model for creating their
own Constitution (Constitutionfacts.com, n.a.). But the circumstances during its creation were
critical. The American War of Independence (1775-1783) against Great Britain had ended with
the signing of the Treaty of Paris that gave sovereignty to the U.S. in 1783. However, four years
later, the United States was still not yet quite united. It was under a confederation—where the
states remained sovereign and independent, and the powers of the central government rests on
the approval of member-states. A transformation of its political system to federalism -where
central government is essential in uniting and leading all member states was believed to be
imperative by some head of states. Therefore, the existing Articles of Confederation at that time
had to be changed (History.com Staff, 2009).
Having just emerged from the American Revolution that started as an opposition against
the British government’s taxation, there was much caution and fear about the power of a US
federal government and what rights each state have. This created numerous debates from
various political parties during the creation of the U.S. Constitution (Constitutionfacts.com, n.a.).
The following sections highlight these debates that formed the U.S. Constitution as we know
today.
1. Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution of 1787
The Articles of Confederation was adopted by thirteen states in 1777, right after the
American Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was considered as the first constitution of the
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Subject
Political Science