The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution created on July 4, 1776, will be marked in the history of The United States of America for the rest of life. This day of Independence truly shows the power of what the Untied States had even back in the 1700’s.

In the summer of 1787, delegates of the new colonies gathered in Philadelphia to create new laws. James Madison was most influential because of the way he was able to eloquently speak, but as well get his point understood easily. It was decided that no one would leave Philadelphia until a constitution and a set of laws was created. The Virginia Plan became the focus of the group early on. This Plan was calling for the creation of a bicameral government. Like the Virginia Plan, The New Jersey Plan was put in place, which gave Congress power to tax and create executive and judicial branches. On July 2^nd, the continental congress was stuck in a deadlock. The Great Compromise arose because of the inability to make decisions. This final decision had the legislative branch split into two different houses, and each state would have a house of representatives based on the size of their state. Through The Great Compromise, the Three-Fifths Compromise was created to give 3/5 the rights to enslaved African Americans. Now the Constitution called for a separation of powers among three powers, which we still use today. There were three so the new government could have a checks and balances system. This system made it possible for an equal government and to have everything balanced. The Electoral College was created to collect the votes of the individual states, and whichever candidate had the most was awarded with the most votes became President.

            The supporters of the Constitution such as Alexander Hamilton and George Washington were called federalists. These Nationalists were in support of the Constitution, but also argued that it needed to be approved. The Anti-Federalists were extremely against the Constitution believing that it would be the fall of American Liberty. After the Federalists won ratification, The Bill of Rights was passed which composed of 10 Amendments that gave the rights to the people.

            Finally in the Fall of 1788, the new government was finished.  George Washington was The United States of America’s first President. Washington was to appoint a cabinet that he believed would be best to help him run the country. The secretary Thomas Jefferson was to manage the Nation’s relations, and Alexander Hamilton was to be the Treasury Secretary. During the first few years of Washington’s administration, there were many issues to handle and the officals had jobs that no one knew how to do before. Washington believed that the public should treat him like a royal. He lived in a very large and extravagant house, which was to be called the White House. To create a capital city, they decided that a 10 square mile tract of land would be used as the capital called District of Colombia. This was right on the Potomac River and was close to Washington’s house.