Colonization of America and The American Constitution - Essay Example

The French later came to the new world with the intention of tracing a new route to the pacific ocean but instead ended up colonizing territories such as Quebec where they planted a variety of crops such as wheat and sugar for the home market. However, other European nations most notably England also put a stake in the new world. Their interest, like the Spanish, was also both economic and political but the settlers had a more comprehensive list of reasons for exploration. Many of them were escaping the collapsing feudal system that had resulted in rural-urban migration and consequently abject poverty. Others were escaping political instability and hoping to make a fresh start in the colonies. The British throne used the new world as a place to dump their unwanted populations; it was common for criminals to be exiled to the new lands. However, with time as the mercantile culture spread the British lord realized how important the new land could be as a colony where they could grow food for export back home and to their increasing territories around the world. They encouraged settlements and after a time they took over, eventually colonized, and occupied America until they were finally driven out in the 18th century when America seized her independence. 

Q.2 The American Constitution

In 1787, Delegates met in Philadelphia to write a new constitution, which was to replace the articles of confederation; the delegates wanted to create a constitution that would provide both liberty and order for the chaotic government given the size and diversity of the United States. The new constitution was written with the objective of forging a strong union between the various states as well as creating a structure of power that could be checked by the people. Their experience with the British government had taught them of the dangers of a tyrannical government and they ensured to put up checks and balances so that the executive, legislature, and judicially could constantly serve as watchdogs over each other.

The delegates disagreed bitterly on various parts of the constitution more so in the partitioning of power between the legislature and executive. For example, Alexander Hamilton was of the opinion that order was more critical than liberty while James Madison held that the contrary was true and that the legislature should have more power to protect liberty (Levy 165). The issues were not all resolved and some of them had to be compromised on, however, the constitution was later amended even today it keeps being amended in line with changing circumstances following the guidelines that were put in place for that very purpose.