The Constitution Of United States Of America

Contents:
1.1. Introduction, Constitutional History & Development, & Salient Features.


1.2. Federal Government And Its Elements


1.3. The President, The Presidential Cabinet & The Vice-President


1.4. The Congress


1.5. Judicial System


1.6. Political Parties

























INTRODUCTION, CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT, & SALIENT
FEATURES.

INTRODUCTION:
The United States of America is a "federal republic" of fifty states located primarily in central
north America, with except of Hawaii and Alaska, which are not contiguous with any of 48
States. Hawaii is a far wester Island, while Alaska only shares its land border with Canada. It is
located in the North-West of central America.

It is uncontested that USA is the one of the greatest democracy in the world. It is a Super
Power, a champion of human rights, freedom and liberty. It has the most successful federal
government system in the world. It is no secret that US owes its success to the System of Trial
& Error and Correction. The system has been introduced by the US constitution, hence what
ever US has achieved is because of its Constitution.

The US constitution is one of the oldest written documents of Law, framed in 1787 and
effective since 1789. The constitution is most democratic; which protects rights, freedom and
liberties of the citizens of US.

The US and its constitution were founded under a tradition of government based on the consent
of the governed under the representative democracy model. The perticular form of government
of US, called Presidential-Congressional has since been adopted by many other countries,
mostly in Central America and South America.
CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT:
It was the peculiar setup of 13 Colonies, which led to the evolution of the federation. The
colonies were largely of English population & of three classes, namely;
1. CROWN COLONIES:
These colonies were ruled by governors, who were appointed by the British government;
assisted by the councils in the operation of administration.
2. PROPRIETARY COLONIES:
These colonies were under the control of individuals, who had been given right to exercise
powers of government.
3. CHARTER COLONIES:
In these colonies, the power of government was conferred directly upon the free men of the
colonies.
We can trace the constitutional history of America from the following events:
1. VIRGINIA HOUSE OF BURGESS (1691):
In 1691, Virginia house of burgess was established. It introduced 1st representative government
in America. The first representative legislature passed some laws concerned with both Moral &
Economic welfare of the people.
It can be said that Virginia house of Burgess was 1st move to setup political system in America.



2. MAYFLOWER COMPACT (1620):
1 year after the establishment of Virginia House of Burgess, a group of Pilgrims concluded
Mayflower Compact for governing themselves. The compact is said to be 1st written political
document in American History. The pilgrims pledged themselves solemnly and mutually in
presence of God to combine together into a civil body of politics.
It can be said that the May Flower compact was the 1st move towards the establishment of
Political Party(s) in America.
3. FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CONNECTION (1639):
The idea of Fundamental Orders created a unique form of government in 1639, in which
provisions were made for three branches of government with legislature, executive and judicial
functions.
4. THE COLONIAL CONFLICT (1765):
By the succession of the English Crown to King George-III, the conflict between the British
Government and the American Colonies began. The British Government introduced new
trading acts and levied heavy taxation; which resulted in conflict between the British and the
American Colonies. In 1765, the British introduced Stamp Act, which required a Stamp Tax
to be paid on legal documents, circulating newspaper and marriage licenses.
5. STAMP ACT CONGRSS:
The delegation from 9 colonies met in New York and drafted a Declaration of Rights
protesting the Crowns right to levy a direct internal tax without the consent of the colonial
assemblies.
6. SONS OF LIBERTY:
Sons of liberty was an organization established to spread the Declaration of Rights and to
keep the opposition to the Stamp Act alive. Sons of Liberty established committees of
correspondence in every colony to spread the doctrine of resistance.
7. FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS (September 5th, 1774):
The Massachusetts Legislature called for a meeting of first ever continental congress. The
meeting was held in Philadelphia on September 5th, 1774. Fifty Six (56) delegates representing
12 Colonies attended the Congress. It adopted a Declaration of Rights demanding no
Taxation without Colonial representation.
The demands put forward by the 1st Continental Congress were rejected by the British.
8. SECOND CONTINETAL CONGRESS (10th May, 1775):
With the rejection of 1st Continental Congresss demands, the conflict between the Colonies
and British Government intensified. The scene was thus laid for the 2nd continental congress.
The meeting was again held in Philadelphia on May 10th, 1775. The Congress established a
treasury department for Colonies, issued continental currency, established post office and most
importantly established an army and raised a navy. George Washington was appointed as the
Commander-in-Chief of the army.
9. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (4th July, 1776):
The methods adopted by the 2nd continental congress were preliminary steps towards the
independence. Soon it was followed by Declaration of Independence on 4th July, 1776.
It was declared, All Colonies are free and independent States. They are absolved from all
allegiance to the British Crown and as free and independent States, having full power to declare
war, conclude peace, contract alliance and to do all other acts and things, which independent
states may have right to do.


10. ESTABLISHMENT OF CONFEDERATION (1775-15th November 1777):
In 1775, prior to the declaration of independence, a committee was constituted, which drafted
the Articles of Confederation. The articles were approved by the Congress of States on 15th
November, 1777, a year after declaration of independence. The articles were as follow
ARTICLE-1:
It named the Confederation United States of America (USA).
ARTICLE-2:
It stated that each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, independence, jurisdiction and right,
which was not expressly delegated to the congress.
ARTICLE-3:
It stated that all states entered into friendship with each other for their common defense,
security and general welfare on account of religion, sovereignty, trade or any other pretense.
ARTICLE-4:
It stated that, congress was established consisting of delegates of States, to make war and peace,
to settle all disputes and differences among the states, to coin money and regulate the currency.
No person could be a delegate for more than 3 years. The Presiding Officer called President
possessed almost no executive authority.
It was clear that the confederation was a loose Union of States and the articles of
confederation were hardly anything more than conventions. It had no binding force. Although it
was designed to manage the affairs of the State, it possessed no real powers of its own. It was
merely an advisory and consultative body and could not compel any state to obey its dictates.
11. TREATY OF VERSAILLES (1783):
The war of independence lasted for eight years. The tides turned in favor of the American
confederation when the French allied with them. After the war the British surrendered and
accepted the American independence by signing the Treaty of Versailles in 1783.
12. THE ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION (September, 1786):
At the suggestion of James Madison (President of US from 1808 to 1812 and from 1812-1816.
Won elections on the ticket of Democratic Republican Party), the Virginia State Legislature
called Annapolis Convention in September, 1786. Commissioners from 5 States attended the
convention to discuss adjustments to the Articles of Confederation. Special emphasis was laid
on improving Commerce. They invited representatives of other States to convene in
Philadelphia to discuss improvements to the Federal Governments, but the other State
delegations refused to meet unless there was an agreement to revise the Articles of
Confederation. After a long debate, the Confederation Congress endorsed the plan to revise the
articles of confederation in February 21st, 1787, and the States agreed to send their delegations
to Philadelphia Convention.




13. THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION (May, 1787):
Philadelphia Convention is one of the most important moves made in the American history and
its constitution making. Seventy four (74) delegates from 12 States, except Rohde Island, met in
Philadelphia in May, 1787, to propose amendments to the Articles. Various plans were
suggested but the issue of representation on population bases posed as a dead lock against them.
Smaller States with smaller population felt left out with low representation in the government. It
was because of this, proposals like Virginal Plan or Large State Plan, New Jersey Plan or Small
State Plan and South Carolina Plan or Pinckney Plan were rejected. At last a proposal, put
forward by Connecticut delegation, received greater attention. The famous proposal provided
for Two Governing Houses at the Centre. It proposed for representation in proportion to
population of State in the Lower House, while equal representation in the Upper House. The
Convention also recognized the necessity of giving real authority and power to the federal
government, in coining money, regulation of commerce and trade, declaring war and making
peace. With these compromises, agreement was reached on framing of a new constitution.
14. THE NEW CONSTITUTION (September 17th, 1787March 4th, 1789):
On the compromises reached in Philadelphia Convention, the first real constitution of US was
drafted. It was completed on September 17th, 1787 in Philadelphia and was ratified by 9 out of
13 States. In addition George Washington was elected the first President and John Adams as his
vice. On March 4th, 1789, after fierce fighting over ratification in many States the Constitution
came into force. Later when other States joined the Federation, they too agreed to the terms of
the Constitution. Today there are 50 States in USA, working under the Constitution of 1789.