The U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights - Research Paper Example

 The U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights The research paper that follows provide valuable and logical evidence that supports the concept that U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights has played a vital role in molding American. The paper comprises of scholarly articles along with historical background that highlight the key persons and their contribution to what America is today. The paper also sheds light upon the formation of the constitution along with passing of the bill of rights. Initiatives for the Constitution In 1787, on May 14, the Federal Convention assembled in the Independence Hall in Philadelphia in order to revise the articles of confederation. Since the delegates were in a minority meeting was adjourned for a day awaiting the arrival of the rest of the states. This adjourning continued for eleven days when on May 25 seven states joined in with the delegation for the purpose of taking a mutual decision (World Digital Liberary, 2012). However, the debates continued between the states until mid of June that the jury reached a conclusion that the terms could not be amended rather it called for a fresh effort and a total change in the articles of confederation. Thus, the first mutual decision between the gathered delegates was to draft a new structure in order to give a direction to the government (World Digital Liberary, 2012). After continuous secret debates among the delegates a constitution was proposed and submitted to the state for an approval. Although, the vote was sealed in some states, the constitution was finally sanctioned. A new Federal government came in to existence in 1789. In accord with the constitution the government was established that exists till to date in U.S. The Bill of Rights During the debates for the constitution the delegates constantly mentioned that there should be a law that would protect the citizens against violation of rights. The opposition party argued that if the constitution was established without considering the citizens it will become a tyrannical rule by the central government. During the revolution the British had violated the civil rights. This was a fresh memory for the opposition party and a mitigating factor that brought the Bill of Rights in to existence. In accord to the arguments of opposition party there should be rules that were required to be spelt out in order to protect the citizens against any violation of rights (The Charters of Freedom, 2012). Nevertheless, on September 25, 1789, the congress of United States proposed to the State legislatures 12 amendments to the constitution. These amendments were deduced after the argument by the opposition party. Bearing in mind the argument of the opposition the Congress deduced amendments; these considered the representation of the constituents and the compensation of the congressmen. Thus, in order to guard the rights of the citizens, George Mason had composed the Declaration of Rights, which was approved by the Virginia assembly on June 12, 1776. However, on June 8, 1789, James Madison of Virginia presented amendments to the Constitution. The Federalists honored their word and on September 25, 1789, the First Federal Congress of the United States approved twelve amendments to the Constitution to be submitted to the states for ratification. . Today the first ten amendments in the U.S. constitution are known as the Bill of Rights (The Charters of Freedom, 2012; The U.S. Bill of Rights, 2012). Jefferson’s Role However, it is essential to highlight here that during the debates for a centralized government and amended constitutions Thomas Jefferson was in France serving as the minister of United States yet he was able to influence the Federal Constitution with the aid of correspondence. Nevertheless, later when he was elected as the first secretary of state, Vice president, leader of the first political opposition party, and the third president of United States his actions and decisions immensely influenced and shaped the constitution of America along with the nature of the emerging republic (LOC, 2012). Jefferson played a vital role in planning, designing, and building the national capitol and the federal district. Jefferson has held various public offices and when he resumed office he tried to limit the powers of the federal government. During the presidential elections of 1800, Jefferson and Aaron Burr came to a deadlock, generated a constitutional crisis. Nevertheless, once Jefferson won substantial votes in electorate college, he and the defeated opposition John Adams established that the rule that the loser party will give the office to the victorious party peacefully in presidential elections (LOC, 2012). The Issue of Slavery During the summers in 1787 the issue of slavery was on the top of the list for the delegates. In 1600’s America was surrounded with the dark realms of Black slavery. The First Blacks who were imported to British land were in 1611, in James Town by Dutch traders. Although the initial trades were for the purpose to hold slaves only for temporary time, this concept changed with the passage of time (McNeese, 2011). By 1650’s, the slavery became permanent; that is those who were held as slaves were made permanent slaves in the American colonies. This practice remained in existence and seemed to flourish throughout the 17th and 18th century. During the time of the American Revolution, Black slavery was approximately around 1.5 million (McNeese, 2011). Ironically, among the 55 delegates 16 of them owned slaves and were not willing to surrender their property in order to support the human rights amendment of U.S. constitution. Although, there was immense protest for abolishing slavery yet it never occurred to the delegates to remove slavery; in fact they debated about if the people who owned slaves should pay more or less taxes; and whether the people with slaves should have more representative rights (McNeese, 2011). After constant debates about slavery it was concluded that the slave’s importation will be with held till 1808. This conclusion was drawn after continuous proposal of banning the importation of slaves. Nevertheless, many slaves during this time ran away; however, the slaves who had escaped were returned to their legal owners (McNeese, 2011). John Jay, a great devotee of the Constitution after its conception and an author of The Federalist wrote in 1786, "It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honor of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion, loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people. To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused1. Oliver Ellsworth, one of the signers of the Constitution wrote, a few months after the Convention adjourned, "All good men wish the entire abolition of slavery, as soon as it can take place with safety to the public, and for the lasting good of the present wretched race of slaves2." Thus, the slavery came to an end in 1865 with the South’s loss (U.S. Constitution, 2012). The amendments made in the constitution of America marked the end of the slavery and set the slaves free by law. Today in America no one is a slave. Nevertheless, the paper shows that American Constitution put an end to slavery with the introduction of Human Rights as a whole. Many women who were suffering were given rights too. The employee rights were also recognized. The United States constitution passed the bill of rights and provided the citizens with the protection of their rights. Thus, the Human Rights were recognized for the first time in America and the humans whether slave or otherwise were given their right; that by birth was theirs, such as freedom to live on their own bases. Reference List LOC. (2012, August 3). Establishing a Federal Republic. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from loc: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html McNeese, T. (2011). U.S. Constitution. New York: Lorenz Educational Press. The Charters of Freedom. (2012). The Bill of Rights. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from archives: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html The U.S. Bill of Rights. (2012). The Bill of Rights of The U.S. Constitution. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from biblescript: http://biblescripture.net/Bill.html U.S. Constitution. (2012). Constitutional Topi: Slavery. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from usconstitution: http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_slav.htmla World Digital Liberary. (2012). Constitution of the United States. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from wdl: http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2708/ Read More