11 April 2008
Preface: The Constitution of USA with Explanatory Notes
U.S. Constitution sets forth the nation’s fundamental laws
(The following preface by J.W. Peltason is taken from the U.S. Department of State publication, About America: The Constitution of the United States of America with Explanatory Notes.)
About America: The Constitution of the United States of America with Explanatory Notes
Preface
The Constitution of the United States sets forth the nation’s fundamental laws. It establishes the form of the national government and defines the rights and liberties of the American people. It also lists the aims of the national government and the methods of achieving them. Previously, the nation’s leaders had established an alliance among the states under the Articles of Confederation. But the Congress created by the Articles lacked the authority to make the states work together to solve national problems.
After the states won independence in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), they faced all the problems of peacetime government. The states had to enforce law and order, collect taxes, pay a large public debt, and regulate trade among themselves. They also had to deal with Indian tribes and negotiate with other governments. Leading statesmen, such as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, began to discuss the need to create a strong national government under a new constitution.
Hamilton helped bring about a constitutional convention that met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. But a majority of the delegates at the convention decided instead to write a new plan of government – the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution established not merely a league of states, but a government that exercised its authority directly over all citizens. The Constitution defines the powers delegated to the national government. In addition, it protects the powers reserved to the states and the rights of every individual.
[ J.W. PELTASON is professor of Political Science Emeritus, University of California, Irvine, as well as President Emeritus, University of California.]
[About America: The Constitution of the United States of America with Explanatory Notes adapted from THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA (c) 2004 World Book, Inc. By permission of the publisher. (www.worldbook.com)]
