American History

American History

Things to Know About the The Constitution

Things to Know About the The Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land and one of the most important documents in American history. Here are some things to know about the Constitution:

It was written in 1787

The Constitution was written in 1787 by a group of delegates representing the 13 original states. The document was created to replace the Articles of Confederation, which had proven to be too weak to govern the new nation.

It outlines the structure of the federal government

The Constitution outlines the structure of the federal government, including the three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws, and the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws.

It includes the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which were added in 1791. The Bill of Rights outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms of American citizens, including the freedom of speech, religion, and the press, and the right to bear arms.

It can be amended

The Constitution can be amended, or changed, through a process outlined in Article V of the document. This has allowed the Constitution to remain relevant and adaptable to changing times.

It is the oldest written constitution still in use

The United States Constitution is the oldest written constitution still in use today. Its endurance is a testament to the foresight and wisdom of its writers.

In conclusion, the Constitution is an essential document that outlines the structure of the federal government and the fundamental rights of American citizens. Understanding its history and significance is crucial for any citizen who wishes to be informed about the workings of the American political system.


The United States Constitution is the fundamental framework for
the United States of America. The United States Constitution plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and integrity of the United States, and more specifically, the citizens of the country.

The Constitution acts as the highest law of the land and documents the individual rights which distinguish American society from other countries. Every law in the United States, in some way, was developed in accordance with the Constitution.

● The United States Constitution provides a single legal basis for the fundamental rights of American citizens through the documentation known as the Bill of Rights.

● The Constitution defines the basic civil liberties, the fundamental rights of American citizens, and the responsibilities of the Federal and state governments.

● The Constitution acts as a framework to ensure peace and order in the United States.

● The Constitution organized the balance of powers between individual citizens, state governments, and the broader Federal Government of the United States.

● The document serves as a foundation for any legal entity formed in the country and offers the Government a sense of the direction in regards to organization and function–the Constitution defines the responsibilities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Constitution has more information regarding the United States Constitution’s importance.

The History Behind the Constitutional Convention

The History Behind the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, was one of the most important events in American history. The convention was called to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the United States since the country’s independence from Great Britain in 1776.

The Articles of Confederation had created a weak central government that was unable to collect taxes, regulate trade, or maintain a standing army. As a result, the young United States was struggling to maintain its independence and security. Many of the country’s leaders recognized that a stronger central government was necessary to ensure the country’s survival.

The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island did not send any delegates). The delegates included some of the most prominent political figures of the time, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.

The convention lasted from May 25 to September 17, 1787. During this time, the delegates debated and negotiated over the structure and powers of the federal government. They ultimately agreed on a new constitution that created a strong central government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.

The Constitution also included a Bill of Rights, which outlined the rights and freedoms that were guaranteed to all citizens. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791, after several states had ratified the document.

The Constitution was not without controversy, however. Some delegates, such as Patrick Henry and George Mason, opposed the document because they felt that it gave too much power to the federal government at the expense of the states. Others, such as Elbridge Gerry and Edmund Randolph, refused to sign the Constitution because they felt that it did not do enough to protect individual rights.

Despite these concerns, the Constitution was ratified by the required number of states and went into effect in 1789. It has since become one of the most important documents in American history, serving as the foundation of the country’s political system and the basis for many of its laws and institutions.

In conclusion, the Constitutional Convention was a crucial moment in American history that helped to create a stronger, more unified nation. Although the Constitution was not perfect, it provided a framework for government that has endured for over two centuries and continues to shape the United States to this day.


Historical Significance of U.S. Constitutional Convention The Constitutional Convention was held in
Philadelphia in 1787, from May 25 of that year to September 17, and had the ultimate effect of leading to the drafting of the U.S.

Constitution, the the foundational document for the nation’s current governmental and legal infrastructure. As such, the U.S. Constitutional Convention is universally considered one of the landmark points in the history of the United States.

The 55 people who took part in the U.S. Constitutional Convention are accordingly considered “Founding Fathers” of the country, in the terms of the category maintained for men who played a crucial role in the early formation of the The United States.

Background for the U.S. Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention was called into being due to concern on the part of several of the Founding Fathers, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, that the then-applicable documents providing for the structure of the U.S. government, as consisting of the The articles of Confederation were not sufficiently cohesive.

The Constitutional Convention, under the direction of George Washington, drafted a document, following a period of concerted debate, for the provision or withholding of ratification on the part of the U.S. state legislatures. After ratification had been approved by the states, the Constitution as drawn up by the Constitutional Convention went into effect on March 4, 1789, in the form of bringing the U.S. government into existence.

Connecticut Compromise

The debate involved in the U.S. Constitutional Convention was settled by the Connecticut Compromise, between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans.

The Significance of Our Founding Fathers

The Significance of Our Founding Fathers

The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of individuals who played a pivotal role in the creation of the American nation. They were instrumental in the American Revolution, the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, and the establishment of the new government.

Their contributions to the development of the United States were immense. They were visionaries who believed in the ideals of liberty, democracy, and the rule of law. They fought for these ideals and made tremendous sacrifices to ensure that they were enshrined in the new nation’s founding documents.

Their legacy is still felt today, as the United States continues to be a beacon of freedom and democracy for people all over the world. Their ideas and principles have inspired countless generations of Americans, who have worked tirelessly to build a more perfect union.

In addition to their political contributions, the Founding Fathers were also important cultural figures. They were writers, artists, and thinkers who helped to shape American culture and identity. They left behind a rich legacy of literature, art, and philosophy that continues to influence American culture to this day.

It is important to remember the significance of the Founding Fathers and the important role they played in the creation of the American nation. Their ideas and ideals continue to inspire us today and remind us of the values that we hold dear as Americans.


Significance of Founding Fathers for Constitutional Law In the context of American Constitutional law, the Founding Fathers can be noted as comprising of delegates to the Constitutional Convention, the meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 with the effect of drawing up the U.S. Constitution.

In the larger context of U.S. history, the Founding Fathers might be noted as the specific individuals who took part in this and in other essential points for the creation of the nation, including both its liberation from the control of the British Empire and the further consolidation of the 13 colonies into a nation unified under the Federal Government.

Other Historical Settings for Founding Fathers

Along with the list of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, the other main listing of Founding Fathers maintained as to specific and historically significant individuals can be noted as comprising of the 56 signers of the U.S. Constitution.

Larger Context for Founding Fathers in U.S. History The “Founding Fathers” terminology might further be applied to the large group of men who contributed to the early history of the United States, without necessarily holding high office at the time or finding individual fame in the long term. Moreover, a category similar to that of the Founding Fathers might also be proposed using gender-neutral language in order to account for the role played by women in the nation’s early history.

Historians believe that U.S. President Warren G. Harding first introduced the “Founding Father” terminology, prior to his assuming the Presidency, as the keynote speaker to the 1916 Republican National Convention.

An Overview of American History

An Overview of American History

The history of the United States of America spans over 400 years, starting with the arrival of the first European settlers in the early 17th century. The story of the United States is an incredibly diverse one, full of notable figures, momentous events, and groundbreaking innovations. Here is a brief overview of American history.

Colonial Period (1607-1776):
In 1607, the first English colony, Jamestown, was established in Virginia. The Pilgrims arrived in 1620 and founded Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. The 13 colonies that were established over the following centuries had a significant economic and social impact on Europe, as well as influencing the events that would lead to the American Revolution.

American Revolution (1776-1783):
In 1776, the 13 colonies declared independence from Great Britain, forming the United States of America. The war for independence lasted until 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was signed, giving the United States its sovereignty.

Early Republic (1783-1861):
The founding of the United States was a time of great growth and innovation. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written, and George Washington was elected the first President of the United States. During the early republic, the nation expanded westward, settling new territories and eventually becoming a global superpower.

Civil War (1861-1865):
The issue of slavery deeply divided the country, and the Civil War was fought between the Confederate States of America and the Union, or Northern States. The Union emerged victorious, and nearly 4 million slaves were emancipated.

Industrialization and World War I (1865-1919):
The post-Civil War period was marked by rapid industrialization and major technological innovations such as the telephone and the automobile. The United States entered World War I in 1917, playing a significant role in ending the war in 1918.

Roaring Twenties (1920-1929):
The 1920s were known as the Roaring Twenties, a time of prosperity and excess. The economy boomed, and cultural shifts such as jazz music and women’s suffrage occurred during this time period.

Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945):
The stock market crash of 1929 led to the Great Depression, one of the most significant economic downturns in history. The United States entered World War II in 1941, and the country played a critical role in ending the war in 1945.

Post-War Era (1945-1960s):
The post-war era saw significant societal changes, including the civil rights movement and increasing involvement in the international community. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union also emerged as a critical issue during this period.

Civil Rights Movement and Modern Era (1960s-present):
The 1960s and 1970s were marked by social unrest and significant cultural shifts, including the fight for civil rights and the feminist movement. The 21st century has seen significant globalization and technological developments, with advancements in communications, healthcare, and space exploration.

In conclusion, American history is rich and diverse, shaped by the heroic and innovative actions of individuals and groups. It is a story of progress, struggle, and overcoming adversity that has culminated in the modern superpower and beacon of hope that the United States is known as today.


Throughout American history, there have been a number of changes that have occurred to the legal system and installations of power in order to help create an equal and well-regulated governing body. Legal History

America has a rich legal history background; one that has moved from a failing unicameral system of governance to a flourishing bicameral system. The change from one system to another was a necessity seen by members of Government when they realized that they had no actual power over the way in which the states ruled themselves.

James Madison suggested a bicameral system in order to bring more power to the Government and to help unify the states in the Union. Congress of the Confederation

The Congress of the Confederation was the first governing body of the United States. This body was a unicameral government, in which there was little power given to the actual Government. All implementations that the Congress wanted could easily be ignored by the states, which were still considered sovereign entities by the standards of America. Unitary System

The unitary system is a system in which a governing body has control over a certain area and is restricted from having power over other bodies. In the United States, we have a bicameral system in which there are two bodies that work together as one governing group. However, they have limited power against other executive and judicial areas, making the United States one of the most unique unitary-based bicameral systems. Vesting Power

Vesting power is a power that was written into the Constitution which gives specific powers to each branch of government in the United States. Vesting powers are important because they allow for the controlled government while ensuring that each branch is regulated against another in regards to exercising their powers. Enumerated Powers

Enumerated powers are a series of specific powers that have been given to Congress. These powers tend to all have to do with establishing various functions in the United States or helping to maintain specific groups and organizations, like that of the military.

A Short Legal History of America

A Short Legal History of America

The legal history of America is a rich and complex tapestry that reflects the growth and development of the nation from its earliest days to the present. The United States has a unique legal system that draws upon a range of sources, including English common law, federal and state statutes, and the rulings of state and federal courts.

The roots of American law can be traced back to the colonial period when the newly established British colonies on the eastern seaboard adopted the laws and legal traditions of England. However, the American colonies soon developed their own legal systems, incorporating local customs and practices into the common law.

The Revolutionary War marked a turning point in the legal history of America, as the newly formed states began to adopt their own constitutions and legal codes. The adoption of the US Constitution in 1787 created a federal system of government, which granted specific powers to the federal government and reserved others to the states.

Over the years, the interpretation and application of the Constitution have been the subject of numerous court cases and legal battles. The role of the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of the meaning and scope of the Constitution has been a pivotal one in American legal history, with landmark rulings such as Brown v. Board of Education (which struck down racial segregation in public schools) and Roe v. Wade (which established a woman’s right to abortion).

The legal history of America has also been shaped by the struggle for civil rights and social justice. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans, women, and other minority groups fought for legal recognition of their rights and freedoms. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked significant milestones in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America.

Today, the legal system of the United States remains a dynamic and evolving entity, constantly responding to shifting social, economic, and political realities. With the rise of new technologies and changing social mores, the role of American law in shaping the direction of the nation will continue to be of critical importance in the years to come.

In conclusion, the legal history of America is a complex and multifaceted tapestry, reflecting the growth and development of the nation from its earliest days to the present. From the adoption of English common law in the colonial period to the landmark court cases and legal battles of the civil rights era, the legal system of the United States has played a critical role in shaping the direction of the nation and ensuring the protection of individual rights and freedoms.


American history and legal history go well together because the establishment of the current government of America is based on the changes and adaptation of legal status throughout American history.

When the United States was first formed, it was governed under a unicameral system of government, known as the Articles of the Confederation. Under this, America was run by one specific body known as the Congress of the Confederation.

This particular governing body served to govern issues regarding foreign concerns but had no real power over the states as a whole. Any laws or implementations that the Congress of the Confederation wanted to install did not have to be adhered to. However, the legal history of the United States took a turn when James Madison suggested a bicameral governing system for the United States.

This system, in American history, is known simply as Congress. Congress is made up of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Their respective duties and criteria are outlined by the articles of the Constitution. The main purpose of these bodies was to distribute power and to help bring more than one governing body when it comes to issues regarding the legal history and the status of the United States.

Once Congress was installed, the sovereignty of the states was diminished and they were unified under a government establishment. This is where the powers of the legislative and judicial branches were also reconsidered and redistributed. Throughout legal history, Congress has helped to pass a number of Acts to secure rights for individuals and states, as well as Amendments that changed the way in which the Constitution functioned.

Understanding the Congress of the Confederation

Understanding the Congress of the Confederation

The Congress of the Confederation, also known as the Continental Congress, was the governing body of the United States from 1776 to 1789 during the American Revolution and the early years of the country’s history. The Congress was responsible for guiding the country through a period of political turmoil and economic instability as it struggled to establish a new government and forge a national identity.

What was the Congress of the Confederation?

The Congress of the Confederation was established on July 4, 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a unicameral legislative body made up of delegates from the 13 original states. The Congress was responsible for declaring war, conducting foreign policy, and managing disputes between the states. However, it had limited powers and no executive or judicial branches.

The Articles of Confederation:

The Articles of Confederation were the nation’s first constitution and served as the governing document of the Congress of the Confederation. The Articles established a loose confederation of states and granted the Congress limited powers, including the ability to establish post offices, negotiate treaties, and regulate trade. However, the Congress had no power to levy taxes or raise an army, which severely limited its ability to effectively govern the country.

Challenges Faced by the Congress:

The Congress was faced with many challenges during its brief existence. The country was deeply divided between Federalists, who supported a strong central government, and Anti-Federalists, who favored a weaker government with more power given to the states. The Congress struggled to find ways to manage the country’s debts and pay for the cost of the Revolutionary War.

The Congress also faced challenges with foreign relations, as the new country was largely isolated from world affairs. Additionally, the government was plagued by a lack of funding, which made it difficult to properly compensate soldiers for their service during the war.

The End of the Congress:

The Congress of the Confederation ultimately came to an end in 1789, with the ratification of the United States Constitution. The new Constitution established a stronger, more centralized government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The new government was designed to be more effective in meeting the challenges faced by the country, and provided a stable framework for the nation’s continued growth and development.

In conclusion, the Congress of the Confederation played a crucial role in the early history of the United States. Despite facing many challenges, the Congress managed to guide the country through a difficult period, as it struggled to establish a new government and forge a national identity. The experience of the Congress of the Confederation helped to shape the principles that would later become enshrined in the United States Constitution, and paved the way for the strong, effective government that exists today.


Article I, Section I of the United States Constitution allows for the creation of the Legislative Branch. The Constitution states that this branch shall be comprised of a bicameral legislature, to be named the Congress.

Each body, or House, provides for a system of representation for the States at the Federal level. Congress is to be divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives. The implementation of a bicameral system would be a deviation of prior precedence established by the Articles of Confederation, which employed a unicameral system for State representation.

The articles of Confederation would become the law of the land and would be implemented in 1781. Under this body of laws, the United States implemented a unicameral legislature known as the Congress of the Confederation. The main purpose behind the adoption of the system was that the framers of the Articles of Confederation had a legitimate concern of creating a body of government with centralized power. They believed that if too much authority could be given to a centralized body of government, the possibility for despotism and a tyrannical government would be too great. Therefore, the Congress of the Confederation would be the only branch of government in place, with no executive and judicial branches instituted. Congress was given minimal power, with most of the authority being diverted to the States.

The unicameral Congress gave representation to all the states on an equal level, while also allowing the states to have the power to veto most decisions determined by the Congress of Confederation. The only powers the Congress of Confederation had were to regulate foreign and military affairs. Furthermore, Congress at the time had no real power over the States, for they were considered sovereign entities. This meant that Congressional decisions could ultimately be ignored by the States. Eventually, the ineffectiveness of this type of Federal Government would become more than obvious, for economic disputes between the states would erupt due to the lack of uniformity and cohesive legislation.

This would eventually lead to the Congress of the Confederation to meet on theConvention of 1787, which was called for the purpose of revising and amending the Articles of Confederation. It would be James Madison that would first propose the concept of a bicameral Congress. His plan called for a Lower House to be elected directly by the people, while the Upper House would be elected by the Lower House. However, representatives of smaller states would argue in favor of maintaining a unilateral legislature for it provided for equal representation among the states.

Eventually, the two proposed types of the legislature would be combined in a compromise. The House of Representatives, or the Lower House, would provide State representation in proportion to the population of a given State. The Senate would maintain an equal representation of the states. Senators would be elected by State legislatures and the Representatives would be directly elected by the people.

The Convention of 1787 would eventually result in the drafting of the United States Constitution, in which the new bicameral legislature would be implemented. Under the new Constitution, Congress would not have more powers so as to provide for a stronger Federal Government. It would dissolve some of the problems under the Articles of Confederation and it would still maintain the sovereignty of the states by delegating specific powers to other issues. Furthermore, a bicameral Congress would provide an internal system of checks in balances in the newly implemented Legislative Branch by delegating certain duties and responsibilities to each House so as to not centralize all the power into one holistic faction.

Unitary System

Unitary System

The United States is often thought of as a federal system of government, where power is divided between the national government and the individual states. However, there are some elements of a unitary system of government present in the United States. Here’s what you should know about the unitary system in the US:

First, it’s important to define what a unitary system is. In a unitary system of government, power is concentrated in the hands of a central government. Local or regional governments have limited power and are subordinate to the central government. In contrast, in a federal system of government, power is divided between a central government and regional governments, each with their own areas of authority.

In the United States, the Constitution grants certain powers to the national government. These powers are listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution and are known as the “enumerated powers.” They include the power to regulate commerce, to raise and support armies, and to establish post offices and post roads, among others.

Additionally, the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law when there is a conflict between the two. This means that the federal government has the power to overrule state governments in certain cases, such as when a state law is found to be in violation of the Constitution.

Another example of the unitary system in the US is the power of the President to issue executive orders. Executive orders are directives issued by the President that have the force of law. They can be used to direct federal agencies, establish policies, and implement laws passed by Congress. While executive orders are subject to judicial review, they can have a significant impact on the actions of both the federal government and state governments.

Lastly, the US also has a strong military and a national system of defense that falls under the authority of the federal government. The US military is responsible for national security and is controlled by the President as the Commander-in-Chief. While state National Guard units can be called up in times of emergency, their ultimate authority rests with the federal government.

Overall, while the US is primarily a federal system of government, there are elements of a unitary system present in the country. These include the enumerated powers of the federal government, the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, the power of the President to issue executive orders, and the national system of defense.


The concept of a bicameral legislature has its foundations as early as Ancient Greece and Rome. Though a more modern application of bicameral legislature is most evident in medieval Europe, when two houses composed of the aristocrats and the commoners were developed for the representation of the estates within a realm.

The essential purpose of a bicameral legislature was to provide for representation of both the people or citizens of a nation and the collective states or provinces in the government system. The representation of both factions in one body of legislature is to provide for a method of passing legislation or laws by requiring a majority for approval. This concurrent majority provides for the ability to pass or approving legislature that is not one-sided or favoring a particular faction in a distinct fashion.

The United States bicameral legislature, or Congress, is often cited as a prime example of bicameralism. However, there are different types of bicameral legislature employed by different governments throughout the world. The Federal bicameral system is the one that is most commonly associated with the integral concept of bicameral legislation. The United States, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the European Union all employ a bicameral system. However, the method or structure in which it is put into effect varies from country to country.

A version of a bicameral legislature that is considered as the classical structure is one that consists of having two Houses in which the democratic process and the federalism principle are combined in the sense of representation. The Lower House is comprised of members based upon population numbers of each State or province, which are elected by the citizens of each State. The Upper House is comprised of an equal number of representatives from each State and is chosen by State legislatures.

The United States Congress, as well as Mexico and Australia, employ this particular bicameral system. However, the United States proves to be a unique example for it was in 1913 that the17th Amendment was approved in which Senators would now be elected by popular vote rather than State legislature appointments. Another form of a bicameral legislature is the Aristocratic system. This system is usually derived from governmental precedence existing in previous provisions. The most notable example is the British House of Lords.

The House of Lords is represented by a number of individuals who assume their position due to inheritance of nobility titles. The House of Commons, the second faction in the bicameral system, is one that is subject to an election to fill the positions. However, the positions held through inheritance have been limited to 92 from 700 due to recently enacted legislation.

The Unitary system of bicameral legislature has no ties to either a federal government or to aristocratic positions. A unitary state is one that is governed through sovereignty, in which the federal or central government can only exercise certain powers over them. A bicameral system in unitary states, such as Japan, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, have different functions than those created under a federal bicameral legislature. One example could include where the Upper House only has the power or authority or litigating and vetoing decisions rendered by the Lower House.

Regarding the various types of bicameral the legislature, the United States Congress proves to be one of a kind, in which the strict dichotomy is enforced between a democratic ideal and the Federal institution of government. Even though the Senate is now elected by a popular vote, Congress still maintains a balance between both factions.