Since its inception in 1787, the U.S. Constitution has been considered as the oldest and most influential document. It laid down the principles and foundation which helped shape U.S. as a nation, and the more than one hundred countries that used it as a model for creating their own Constitution (Constitutionfacts.com, n.a.). But the circumstances during its creation were critical. The American War of Independence (1775-1783) against Great Britain had ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris that gave sovereignty to the U.S. in 1783. However, four years later, the United States was still not yet quite united. It was under a confederation—where the states remained sovereign and independent, and the powers of the central government …show more content…
It was considered as the first constitution of the country, which paved the way for the confederation of these sovereign states, but it provided more power to the state than the central government (The Library of Congress, 2015). After the American Revolution ended with $40 million in debt, the national government saw some weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation that hindered it from economic recovery and effective governing of a “United States of America” (Constitutionfacts.com, …show more content…
No independent executive
3. No federal courts-all laws enforced by state courts.
4. No taxing power given to Congress.
5. Congress has no power over interstate or foreign commerce.
6. Congress consists of one body and each state has one vote.
7. Amended only by approval of ALL the states.
8. Congress has only specific, delegated powers.
9. Only state governments act directly on the people. 1. People of the whole nation are sovereign--exercise of sovereignty is divided between states and the central government.
2. Independent executive chosen by electoral college.
3. Separate supreme court system, with power to resolve disputes between the states.
4. Congress has power to "lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises."
5. Congress has power to regulate commerce with other nations and among the states.
6. Congress consists of two bodies. Number in House isbased on population and each state has two Senators.
7. Amended with approval of 3/4 of states (i.e., 9/13).
8. Congress has implied, as well as specific powers.
9. Both central government and state governments acts directly on the people.
Source: factpetersen.