Crafting a more perfect union

CRAFTING A MORE PERFECT UNION

A brave, new experiment in self-rule

As you read in the last module, delegates at the Constitutional Convention had to compromise on key issues in order to create a plan for a stronger national government, but one that did not oppress the rights of the states.  

The Great Compromise allowed for equal representation in the Senate (two from each state) and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.

The 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention worked for four months to create a framework which would give unprecedented power to the people. Indeed, the U.S. Constitution was the most democratic document the world had ever witnessed, since it would be approved, or ratified by the people themselves. This would be a brave, new experiment in self-government and the people themselves would determine its success or its failure.

Structure of the Federal Government

Under the new United States Constitution, the federal government would shift from a unicameral system (one body) to a three branch system that included a bicameral (two-body) legislature (Senate and House of Representatives). 

Under the separation of powers,  each branch would be granted specific powers that would limit the powers of the other using checks and balances. The separation of powers, however, did not address the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Understanding Federalism

The U.S. Constitution created a federal relationship between the central government and the states. Federalism is a system in which both the states and the central government maintain sovereignty by dividing up their power. 

For example, the federal government controls all that affects the greater population at large. These are known as expressed or enumerated powers. For example:

• maintaining federal lands
• coining money
• regulating of interstate trade
• maintaining the military and waging war
• making treaties with foreign nations
• mediating conflicts between the states through the federal judiciary

All other powers are given to the states and local governments. 

In fact, the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that any powers not explicitly given to the federal government are reserved for the states to manage. These are known as reserved powers. An example of a reserved power is the management of public education. 

However, it's important to remember that the U.S. Constitution is the "supreme law of the land," even today. This is explicitly stated in the Supremacy Clause, which demands that state laws conform to the Constitution and that federal laws supersede the laws of the states. 

Some powers are shared by both the federal and state governments, like the power to tax, the power to hold elections, and the power to establish courts. These are examples of concurrent powers. 

Not perfect, but perfectible

The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution still in use today, but it wasn't perfect. 

Federalists hoped that the Constitution would establish the United States as a competing power among the European giants and provide more security and freedom at home. 

The Anti-Federalists thought the document would lead to tyranny because the original document had no bill of rights. 

It was only in promising that the bill of rights would be added by amendment that the Federalists were able to get the Constitution ratified, or agreed upon by the states. 

Indeed, the United States Constitution was not perfect, but it was perfectible...through the amendment process.

The Preamble: We the People

The Preamble of the United States Constitution

A preamble is an introductory clause at the beginning of a document, like a constitution or a statute, that explains the reasons for its existence. Watch the video below and read along to the Preamble of the United States Constitution.

Form a more perfect union: Strengthen the relationship between the states and the fedral government

Establish Justice: Create a system of laws and consequences that are fair

Insure domestic tranquility: Peace and order throughout the country

Provide for the common defense: Defend the nation

Promote the general welfare: Benefit economically and military

Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity: Protect freedoms earned in the rev and the declaration of independence.

A Plan of Action

The United States Constitution consists of three main parts: 

1. The Preamble 
2. The Articles (7)
3. The Amendments (27)

You just read and analyzed the Preamble, or introduction to the Constitution, which states the goals of the new government.

In addition to the Preamble, there are seven articles following the Preamble which provide the structure of the U.S. government. These articles are remarkable because there have been only 27 changes, or amendments, that have been added to the original Constitution during the nation's history.

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