In the United States, our Constitution is the law of the land. It is valued and indeed cherished by all Americans. Our president and all members of the uniformed services take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. It guarantees our liberty and respect for the ideas promulgated by the document are a large part of what makes us Americans. After all, we are different in many ways. We are made up of many groups which includes differences in race, gender, religion, and culture. However, our common belief in the benefits of our Constitution bring us together as one people. How would our nation be different without this Constitution?
In our early history in America, we were governed by the Articles of Confederation. During the American Revolution we were very busy fighting a war for our independence. This weak system of government that the Articles provided barely held the states together but our commitment to the war took priority to creating a better government. In any case, many patriots of the time were suspicious of a more powerful government. They were afraid of the tyranny that might come from strong government. After all, they were fighting a war for their survival against a King who they believed imposed too much government into their everyday life.
Following the American Revolution, many Americans were ready to get on with their ordinary lives. They wanted to take care of their homes, businesses and farms. Most Americans depended on agriculture for their livelihood and they were looking toward a prosperous future life working the land. They were optimistic about their future especially since the British objection to their moving westward was now out of the way. However, their form of government was a hindrance.
Another major problem would emerge for this new nation. With the British out of the way, we also lost a large trading partner. The American economy began to turn sour. The government, under the Articles of Confederation did not have the power to remedy the situation. In fact, this very government was responsible for much of the problem. There was no central authority to deal with developing economic problems. Mortgage payments went unpaid and the economy grew worse. Former Revolutionary War Captain, Daniel Shays decided to protest this economic plight. For him and his neighbors, the situation had grown out of control and they had to do something. Times were miserable. These people were losing their farms. They had fought a war for freedom and independence, yet they were losing their livelihood. This incident would escalate and later would be referred to as Shays’s Rebellion.
As a result, America’s leading citizens began to understand that action had to be taken. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison believed that government in America had to be changed to better deal with the economic crisis. They, along with other men from the various states would meet in Philadelphia in 1787. Their purpose was to amend the Articles of Confederation. They quickly agreed that government needed to be completely changed. During those hot summer months they worked out our present United States Constitution. This was not an easy process. Multiple problems were in their way. The small states felt like larger states had too much power, but several compromises would bring them together. Yet, many people continued to object to provisions in the proposed Constitution. Some people believed the new government would have too much power. They were afraid of a powerful executive authority. They were fearful of a President, who could be elected to consecutive four year terms. They were reminded of their former King. They were also suspicious of a six year term for Senators. The overwhelming objection for many Americans was that the new Constitution failed to create personal liberties. This group who rose against the Constitution came to be called Anti-Federalists and their primary objection was that no Bill of Rights was included in the new document.
Fortunately, the group supporting ratification of our Constitution presented their case rationally and persuasively. This group led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were called Federalists. Their vision for America was made clear and with the promise of our Bill of Rights, America ratified the Constitution to take effect in 1789. That Constitution has proven to be America’s greatest source of strength. It provides individual rights and creates a government with integrity. As James Madison made clear, it works because power and ambition counter power and ambition. There is a system of checks and balances which maintain a balanced government.
The future of the United States would have been very different indeed if our Constitution had not been ratified. Individual states would have drifted in various political directions without this common thread holding them together. The westward movement would have had a different outcome. Foreign powers would have taken much of the western areas. The Louisiana Purchase most probably would not have been possible and the institution of slavery would definitely have divided the nation more seriously than it did.
With the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln was able to hold the nation together. With his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln explained how the nation would endure. Without the Constitution, the America we know today would never have been a reality.
The America we know today is a land of opportunity and our Constitution is a primary reason for that. Our economy has been prosperous not only because of our bountiful resources and our industrious people. The framework of our government encourages national stability and strength. We are very fortunate that our forefathers brought forth and ratified the Constitution. Perhaps some would disagree with my optimism but I see a nation where our next leader might be a female, an African American or a Mormon. Any of these instances would be a first for our Presidency but the point is – opportunity is there for everyone. America without our Constitution would be lacking. We are very fortunate to have it.
