Roger Sherman: A Founding Father and Architect of the American Republic

Roger Sherman (1721-1793) was an American lawyer, politician, and Founding Father who played a crucial role in shaping the early history of the United States. He was one of the architects of the American Republic and was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. This article will explore the life and legacy of Roger Sherman.

Early Life and Career

Roger Sherman was born on April 19, 1721, in Newton, Massachusetts, and grew up in Stoughton. He received little formal education but was an avid reader and taught himself math and surveying. At the age of 20, he moved to New Milford, Connecticut, where he became a successful merchant, landowner, and surveyor.

Sherman’s public career began in 1755 when he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives. He quickly became a prominent figure in Connecticut politics and served in several key positions, including as a judge and treasurer of Yale College.

Political Career

Roger Sherman was one of the most influential Founding Fathers and played a pivotal role in shaping the early history of the United States. At the Continental Congress, he was involved in many of the most important decisions made during the Revolutionary War.

Sherman helped draft the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. He was also a member of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation, which served as the nation’s first constitution from 1777 to 1789. Sherman’s ideas and proposals helped shape the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

In 1787, Sherman was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. He played a significant role in drafting the United States Constitution and was one of the original signers of the final document. Sherman’s experience in state and national government made him a valuable contributor to the convention.

One of Sherman’s most significant contributions to the Constitution was the “Great Compromise.” The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature, which consisted of a Senate with equal representation per state and a House of Representatives based on population. This compromise helped resolve a critical issue at the convention and paved the way for the ratification of the Constitution.

Legacy

Roger Sherman’s legacy extends far beyond his direct contribution to the founding of the United States. He is remembered as one of the most brilliant minds of his time and a critical voice in shaping the young nation’s political and legal system.

Sherman’s work on the Great Compromise helped establish a stable, democratic government that has stood the test of time for over two centuries. His ideas and proposals helped create a central government that protected individual freedoms while still providing for the common good.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Roger Sherman was one of the most important Founding Fathers of the United States. His contributions to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution shaped the early history of the nation and established a strong foundation for future generations.

Sherman’s legacy has influenced countless leaders who have followed in his footsteps, and his vision and ideas continue to guide the United States towards a brighter future. His work as an architect of the American Republic will always be remembered and celebrated, and his impact on the nation’s history will never be forgotten.

Roger Sherman was the only Founding Father to have signed what is now considered the four great state papers of the United States of America: the ContinentalAssociation, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. Roger Sherman was a prominent politician who served on the Committee responsible for drafting the Declaration ofIndependence.

In contrastto more radical or boisterous Founding Fathers, Roger Sherman was a reservedman, focused primarily on the legal system of America. Sherman served as theMayor of New Haven, Connecticut, and quickly grew a mountain of wealth thatearned him both power and respect. His peers viewed him as an honest, educated man who perceived the Revolution as an economical and legal issue.

Roger Sherman greatly resented Parliament andtheir unjust taxation methods. An active and influential member of theContinental Congress, Sherman was one of the first Founding Fathers to deny thesupremacy of Parliament. He believed that the British government had no legaljustification to enforce laws or levy taxes on American settlers.

Althoughconservative, Roger Sherman quickly became a leader in Revolutionary politics.Even though the prominent politician was staunchly against British politics,Sherman still believed that a central government was necessary for thebetterment of man. Sherman originally favored the Articles of Confederation. While in Congress he drafted a series of amendments which attempted to solidify the powers of the central government.

Along withsupporters, the Mayor of New Haven envisioned a government stable enough tolevy taxes, establish a Supreme Court, and create a set of legal codes that allof society would follow. Sherman’s efforts, unlike George Mason or Patrick Henry,were not focused on the rights of the individual, but instead, on the processof electing officials and balancing powers within the Federal Government.

When various Founding Fathers and State leadersmet at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 their objective was clear. TheArticles of Confederation represented the first true form of Constitution inAmerican history. Like many first drafts, the Articles of Confederation was metwith great skepticism. Sherman and the other prominent figures set out to amend the Articles and create a document that unified, as well as successfully established, America as a functional and progressive nation.

In response to the objective, Roger Sherman proposed what is now known as his greatest accomplishment to American History. The Great Compromise, or TennesseeCompromise, was introduced by Sherman during the Constitutional Convention andaimed to organize the inner-workings of the Federal Government. The GreatCompromise was created to alleviate a long struggle regarding Staterepresentation. When the Articles were drafted, the separation of powersbetween large and small states were askew. In the Great Compromise RogerSherman essentially created the bicameral legislature which resulted in the current formation of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

The bicameral legislation (lower House and upper House) in the Great Compromise featured a legislative structure that balanced powers between heavily-populated states and their smaller counterparts. The lower House favored the largerstates and based representation on the population of the State. Candidates wereto be elected by the people of the particular State in proportion to thepopulation. Membership in the upper House, however, was not based on populationand instead allocated two seats to each State regardless of size. Upper House(presently the Senate) officials were elected by State legislatures untilratification of the 17th Amendment awarded that right to the people. The GreatCompromise lead the way for the creation of the United States Senate and House of Representatives and successfully balanced the powers between large and small states.