The United States of America created its constitution in the year 1787 during the Philadelphia convention. The constitution was ratified in 1789 by eleven states. The Americans declared independence on 4th July 1776 which enabled them to raise an army under the command of George Washington.
The Philadelphia convention of 1787 was the one under which the Southern and Northern States reached a compromise concerning the status of the black slaves. This was done to enable effective distribution of taxes, as well as the apportionment of the members of the United States.
The New Jersey and Virginia states presented their plans in view of the constitution convention. The Virginia plan stated that every state should had representation in the government, member who would be the representatives of the population. This plan could give Virginia more representation in the congress since it was the most populated state. The New Jersey plan, on the other hand, proposed that states should be represented by two representatives from each state.
However, this called for great compromise to solve this conflict. The nationalists were soon called the federalists. New Jersey proposed for a purely federal state with equal representation for every state. The controversies that emerged were regarding the bill of rights and slavery.
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson showed their ideological differences in regard to the nature of the government favored. As far as Hamilton was concerned, his following was majorly composed of urbanites with interests in seaports while Jefferson’s following advocated for the rights of the rural population and the interest of the southern people. There was an internal competition within the independent America with some factions struggling to have a federalist state, while others were looking for a national state.
Hamilton who was a staunch supporter of the central government view argued that it was only through a central government that the citizens could get the economic empowerment. He further asserted that Americans needed credit for commercial activities for the purpose of developing their government.
Thomas Jefferson on the other hand supported a decentralized agrarian republic. He recognized the central government, but argued that it should not be so powerful in other respects. Jefferson thoughts were more inclined towards freedom while Hamilton thought in terms of order.
The United States required both views of these two great philosophers in order to develop economically. When Jefferson was appointed the secretary of state, a new interpretation of the constitution began. Jefferson supported the introduction and improvement of the state rights, while Hamilton was mainly concerned with the national rights of people.
It is important to note that the word slave does not appear in the constitution. However, the constitution provided ample protection for it. The famous three-fifths clause gave the south extra representation in the house. The federal government was given the power to suppress the insurrections of slaves.
Despite this, constitution weakened the institution of slavery. The controversy in regard to the Atlantic slave trade was later on resolved by comprise. A 20 year ban on any restrictions on the Atlantic slave trade was lifted. These measures ensured that the issue of slave trade was put to rest and the acceptance of the slaves as American citizens was set into the path of positive recognition.