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How Has The Constitution Shaped America Essay

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The Constitution shaped America into who we are today. It started with the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was “the nation’s first constitution and was written to create a firm league of friendship between the thirteen states”(Crouse, Slide 5). Eleven years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the United States Constitution was created(Weatherman). After the United States finally won their independence from Great Britain, they spent their early years governed by the Articles of Confederation. In 1787, all states but one met to considered Changing the Articles of Confederation to meet their new rules and needs
In 1787 the Constitutional Convention was held to decide what they needed to change in the Articles …show more content…

Two Virginia delegates by the names, James Madison and Edmund Randolph created a new form of government and brought it with them to the Constitutional Convention to have everyone discuss it(Weatherman). They debated over at least 20 ideas including “that the legislative should consists of two branches, that a republican constitution should be guaranteed to each state and that provision should be made for the amendment of articles of union, whenever it seems necessary”(Luther).The Convention approved the Constitution, after much debate. After each of the states finally decided, the Constitution was ratified by all thirteen states(Weatherman). Amendments made it possible to change things in the Constitution. The nineteenth amendment in the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote(Nineteenth Amendment, page 1). In the mid 1800’s, leaders began speaking out for women’s rights and equality such as Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone. During the late 1860’s, many United States Congressmen started to think of an amendment they could make to gain women their suffrage. Senator Aaron Sargent proposed the women's right to vote amendment in 1878. “Sargent’s amendment failed to pass,but it was reintroduced in every session of

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The United States has worked under two constitutions. Articles of Confederation was the first constitution in our nation. It was in effect from March 1st, 1781, after Maryland ratified it. Articles of Confederation was replaced by The Constitution on June 21, 1788, which was ratified by New Hampshire. The main principles behind the modern constitution were human rights, accountability, power separation, representative government, and independence of judiciary.

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