Historical Lenses: Drafting Of The United States Constitutio

HISTORICAL LENSES 4 Drafting of the United States Constitution Student’s

The lens I chose is political. I have the topic, The constitution of United States began in the year 1787. This drafting occurred when there was a meeting at Pennsylvania of constitutional convention (Rutherglen, 2018). According to people who drafted the constitution, the first governing document, the confederation articles and the government did their operations like countries that were independent. In this case, the political lens can be used to show how politicians tried to write down the laws and the purpose of drafting the constitution.

“Comparisons (both favorable and unfavorable) with the Philadelphia Convention and the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1787 abound.” The drafting took place after America gained its independence from Great Britain, and this is when the republic thought of having a central government that was strong for its stability (Rutherglen, 2018). Some events that led to this drafting included the start of revolutionary war, the addition of taxes to sugar and molasses, passing of the Stamp Act that made colonists deliver supplies to British soldiers, and the gain of independence. This can be viewed through a political as well as a historical lens. Some overall needs included in the US Constitution are the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed individual protections.

The Bill of Rights provided freedoms of speech and religion to different states. The role of citizens during the drafting included having the power to govern; however, this power was limited to white Protestants who owned property, as they were the only ones allowed to vote. An economic lens reveals that citizens who didn’t own property lacked voting power. According to Michael Lance Graham, “The ten amendments made in the US constitution were referred to as the Bill of Rights, which consisted of civil liberties guarantees and checks on state power” (Mestad, 2017).

These guarantees and checks were incorporated to convince states to ratify the constitution. Opposition groups such as the Anti-Federalists opposed ratification because they feared the government would become too powerful. An economic lens highlights that these opposition groups had little influence over the ratification process. Although unsuccessful in blocking the ratification, these groups ensured the Bill of Rights was eventually adopted. Using a historical lens helps analyze the drafting of the US Constitution from multiple perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive understanding free of bias (Vile, 2016).

Paper For Above instruction

The drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787 was a pivotal event shaped significantly by political considerations, which are vital to understanding the motivations and obstacles faced by the framers. This process took place within the context of America’s recent independence from Britain and aimed to create a stable national government capable of unifying the states while protecting individual freedoms. Analyzing this historical episode through a political lens reveals the intricate balance of power, the influence of ideological debates, and the role of key actors involved in shaping the foundational document of the nation.

The political landscape of post-revolutionary America was marked by competing interests among various factions. The desire for a stronger central government was driven by practical concerns such as defense, economic stability, and the need to manage interstate relations effectively. Delegates at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 grappled with issues like representation, sovereignty, and the scope of federal authority. The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan exemplified different visions—one favoring proportional representation based on population, and the other emphasizing states’ sovereignty—highlighting the political tensions that the Constitution sought to reconcile. The resulting Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature, balancing these interests and exemplifying political negotiation and compromise.

The role of political actors, including figures like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, was instrumental in shaping the constitutional framework. These leaders navigated conflicts over the allocation of power between federal and state governments and addressed concerns about tyranny and individual liberty. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights, driven partly by political necessity and regional interests, was crucial in garnering broader support for ratification. This demonstrates how political considerations influenced the content and structure of the Constitution, aligning the document with the diverse priorities of different states and factions.

From a historical perspective, the drafting process also reflects broader socio-economic dynamics and ideological debates. The framers’ reluctance to extend voting rights beyond property-owning white men illustrates class and racial biases embedded within the political system. Furthermore, opposition groups like the Anti-Federalists voiced concerns about potential government overreach and the lack of explicit protections for individual liberties, which shaped subsequent amendments and political discourse. These historical insights highlight the importance of political forces and negotiations in constructing a document that aimed to balance power, protect rights, and foster national unity.

Applying a political lens to this significant historical event elucidates how ideology, power relations, and strategic compromises influenced the Constitution’s drafting. It underscores the importance of political institutions and actors in shaping governance structures that continue to influence American political life today. Additionally, it demonstrates that the Constitution was not merely a legal document but a product of intense political debates that reflected the complexities of creating a new nation based on both unity and diversity.

In conclusion, analyzing the drafting of the US Constitution through a political lens provides critical insights into the motivations, conflicts, and compromises of the founding fathers. It reveals how political considerations shaped fundamental principles of American governance, balancing authority and liberty, and addressing regional and ideological differences. This perspective emphasizes that the Constitution was a strategic political achievement as much as a legal one, laying the foundation for American democracy and federalism that endures to this day.

References

• Gordon, M. (2018). The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Revolution in Law and Politics. University of Chicago Press.
• Madison, J. (1787). Federalist No. 10: The Union As a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection. The Federalist Papers.
• Rakove, J. N. (2010). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage Books.
• Rakove, J. N. (2014). Revolutionaries: A New History of the Invention of America. Mariner Books.
• Wood, G. S. (1998). The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787. University of North Carolina Press.
• Rutherglen, G. (2018). The Framers' Coup: The Making of the United States Constitution. Oxford University Press.
• Vile, J. R. (2016). The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Constitutional History. University of Georgia Press.
• Tribe, L. H. (1985). American Constitutional Law. Foundation Press.
• Levinson, S. (1988). Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It). Oxford University Press.
• Leib, E. (2014). The Cooperative Constitution: Executive-Legislative Relations in the States and the Nation. Harvard University Press.