U.S. Government
~ The United States Constitution ~ Brock Miles
A Government of the People By the People For the People
A Blast From the Past
On the morning of September 17th 1787, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia with one goal in mind, Rhode Is. was not in attendance. Their goal is highlighted firmly in the Preamble. In order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, they did ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America. Many knew it would be difficult including George Washington who served as president of the Constitutional Convention and, was well loved by delegates and citizens alike.
the Constitution of the United States
The U.S. Constitution is responsible now just as it was in 1787 for the establishment of America's national government and fundamental laws, as well as guaranteeing basic rights to it's citizens. Our four fathers knew the document wouldn't be perfect and they knew that it would not always fit the times. In order to resolve these issue they put in place certain protections. The constitution based on it's characteristics could be seen as a 'living document' due to the fact that it has endured. The Amendment process allows official changes to the document. It also allows for sustainability to its relevance and as such continue to have meaning for the citizens. The framers realized that The United States in 1789 would not be the same place in 2015.
Off to A Poor Start
After America won the Revolutionary War and before the magnificent Constitution was created for our new nation there was another document. A set of documents to be more specific. Focus was on state governments, which had tremendous power. This form of government proved unequal to the task of governing the 13 Colonies, mainly because 9 of the 13 states had to agree in order to anything done. The documents responsible for these issues were called the Articles of Confederation. Due to the document the Confederation Congress, as restricted could not raise taxes and could not use a court system to force states to trade with each other. In very real terms, the nation's first national government was not enough of a government for the current world situation. That would soon change.
A Little Closer To Home
Edmund Randolph was born into a well-established Virginia family on August 10, 1753 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Edmund Randolph was tutored and later attended the College of William and Mary. After graduating, Edmund Randolph studied law under his father John Randolph. Following his completion of the Virginia bar, he began practicing law in Williamsburg. Edmund stayed in America living with his Uncle Peyton Randolph in Virginia where he was a prominent member in politics. Once the Revolutionary War broke out, Edmund Randolph showed his support by acting as an aide to General George Washington. Edmund Randolph was elected to the Virginia Convention of 1776. Randolph was a delegate from Virginia for the Constitutional Convention. While there, he introduced the Virginia Plan as a foundation for a new government for the nation. The Virginia Plan also suggested two houses of government where in both of these houses delegates were picked based on state population. Edmund Randolph will always be remembered as a remarkable statesmen for Virginia politics as well as national figure for freedom.
General George Washington
Served as the first President of the United States and President of the Constitutional Convention.
Independence Hall
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the site of the signing of more than one important document in America's history, including of course the Constitution.
United States National Archive
Present home of the U.S. Constitution and a plethora of American documents, such as the Declaration of Independence.
Abraham Lincoln ~16th President~
"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the mean who would pervert the Constitution". ~Abraham Lincoln
A Vision of Freedom, Prosperity and Patriotism
If there is one document, one symbol that single-handily sums up America's values it's the U.S. constitution. Forged in the turmoil of revolution with the promise of tranquility. Seventy two years after George Washington's inauguration another man reminded us of what it meant to be Americans, President Abraham Lincoln. "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Lincoln knew what our constitution stood for, and he would fight and win a war to protect what we had achieved. "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." From the steps of Independence Hall, to the fields of Gettysburg up to the steps of the U.S. Capitol, you could say The United States has come a long way on the road to freedom since 1776. The constitution has been tested just as our nation has been and on every occasion we've endured, unwavering and free.
A Symbol of Democracy
The United States Capitol, often called Capitol Hill, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. This is where Senate and House of Representative leaders govern daily.
~Citations & References~
- Abraham Lincoln: <i>Engraved Portrait</i>. Digital image. <i>Wikipedia</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
- "US Congress 02" by Bjoertvedt - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Congress_02.jpg#/media/File:US_Congress_02.jpg
- "Gilbert Stuart - George Washington - Google Art Project" by Gilbert Stuart - kQERa87syyG-sQ at Google Cultural Institute, zoom level Scaled down from second highest. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gilbert_Stuart_-_George_Washington_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg#/media/File:Gilbert_Stuart_-_George_Washington_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg
- "National Archives DC 2007s" by GryffindorThis panoramic image was created with Autostitch.Stitched images may differ from reality. - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Archives_DC_2007s.jpg#/media/File:National_Archives_DC_2007s.jpg