The United States Constitution – a Declaration of Interdependence
“WE, the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
After winning independence, thirteen too-loosely associated independent states were unequal to the tasks at hand. Another universal truth soon became evident: Independence is never enough. To be free and secure, we also need a functioning civil society; food, shelter, community, and rule of law and justice. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention, chosen to improve the Articles of Confederation, quickly realized that small changes would not suffice. They created a blueprint for a new system designed to help citizens and the nation meet existential and everyday challenges. The focus went from a Declaration to a Constitution, from independence to interdependence.
The Philadelphia Convention sent their proposal to Congress in New York with Covering Resolutions, signed by George Washington, which resonate just as much today:
“It is obviously impracticable in the federal government of these states, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all: Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest…”
To navigate between humility and hubris, faith and doubt, ideals and interests, dogma and compromise, the new nation was designed with separation of powers, and checks and balances. The exhibit module will discuss that along with the necessary compromises of the Constitution, including slavery and the electoral college.
Upon ratification, the United States of America was established in New York City in 1789. The states were still precariously connected, with citizens of vastly diverse cultural, religious, ethnic, educational and class backgrounds. Even their economic systems and currencies were different. Its success could not be taken for granted.
★ Pennsylvania Packet, September 19, 1787, first-day printing (shown above). #22677 ★ Pennsylvania Herald. second-day printing, September 20, 1787. #27499 ★ A unique Albany, New York, printing just before state ratification convention, March 1788. ★ Additional first- and second-day, and other early printings.