Constitution
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers...". This is the beginning of the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. This document was unanimously passed by the thirteen colonies as a first attempt to free themselves of a repressive, exploitative government. This was the first widely accepted, formal document that suggested a new republican government. This new form of government would be founded in the collective rights of the people, based on their authority alone, and beheld to them. This was certainly not the first time that this form of government had been mentioned. The first major public writing, calling for a republican form of government was published in 1776 by Thomas Paine. "Common Sense" was printed at the outset of the American Revolution, and was an instant hit with almost all Americans. This was the first real attempt of the American colonies to break free of British rule, and fend for themselves. They had no real form of government, just a declaration stating that they didn't want the British to rul
The men composing the Continental Congress were very weary of a strong federal government. Blaming king George III for the sufferings of the colonies. Many members of the Confederation Congress wanted to simply reform the Articles and add new laws, this soon proved very difficult. Many of the delegates would not sign the constitution unless the Bill of Rights came with it. The declaration alone was not enough for the colonials to govern themselves. There would be no more interference from the British government. There also seemed to be a feeling of satisfaction in Franklin's speech about the success of this new form of government as it related to the rest of the world. Many of the men that were elected to represent the different states had differing opinions of how the Constitution should be. Their new government had to be strong, and it had to be agreed to by the majority. Without the strong federal government we would not have the productive society that has developed since its establishment. "there must be a faithful and pointed compliance on the part of every State, with the late proposals and demands of Congress, or the most fatal consequences will ensue.
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