Why English men preferred the constitution to protect their private property?
It was necessary to protect private properties since there was a probability of the government confiscating land and other objects without due process of law. British settlers had already developed land and acquired private property that required compensation upon confiscation by the government. In this regard, private property was considered a civil right and liberty by the constitution (Storing, 2008).
In addition, the government was mandated by the constitution to protect individual rights with the inclusion of properties. Moreover, the constitution was to perceive private property as a source of freedom. The Founding Fathers envisioned that protection of private property was critical in enforcing the law and public justice, as well as prevent anarchy and tyranny. Through the constitution, duties, and rights are attached to private property.
In this regard, the constitution seeks to ensure that value is created from private property. For example, owners of private property can pay taxes and subject the same to productive activities like farming in the case of land. The Founding Fathers were sensitive to the fact that private property was instrumental in the civilization of the United States. Moreover, property owners acquired the leverage to confront a corrupt government using property and its value.
Following the declaration of independence, there were fears that the British would lose their private properties, especially after King George was referred to as a tyrant. England had already lost its colonies in North America. The Founding Fathers dismissed the British and requested immediate independence of the states. At this moment, the British knew they had lost in the American Revolution, and the need to salvage their properties was critical.
In addition, the violation of British natural rights was about to be disregarded following the independence of the United States. At this point, the English men were anti-federalists, and their support of the constitution was critical. Therefore, the need for the fourth amendment was constituted to ensure the British were protected from illegal searches and seizures of their private property.
Preservation of the English men’s natural rights was considered critical to the new constitution
The British wanted to protect their natural rights and properties. The British wanted their rights to private landholdings withheld by independent America. In this regard, the British knew there was the probability of the federal government revoking their liberties and rights to the property. The federalists declared that equality of all men was to be withheld and that rights to life, property, and pursuit of happiness were inalienable (Trapp, 2000).
The fears of the Founding Fathers
Initially, the Founding Fathers were wary of the British colonialists (Hamilton, Madison, Jay & pole, 2005). The manner in which the British treated their subjects and enslaved others caused jitters among the Founding Fathers, who were guided by the principle of equality. Thomas Jefferson referred to the British as unfeeling brethren, who conspired with the king to destroy human rights.
In addition, the Founding Fathers feared the tyranny of the king (Hamilton, Madison, Jay & pole, 2005). The Founding Fathers envisioned a country free of monarch rule and wanted to preserve freedom of political opinion. However, anti-federalists and political opponents caused fear among the Founding Fathers. The anti-federalists felt their rights to own private properties were threatened by the new constitution (Hamilton, Madison, Jay & pole, 2005). On the other hand, political opponents were likely to form parties that would destroy the country’s unity. Moreover, slaves were a threat to the new nation if they were to be freed at once. There was a probability that former slaves would engage the white racist in a civil war.
References
Hamilton, A., Madison, J., Jay, J. & Pole, J. R. (2005). The federalist. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing.
Storing, H. J. (2008). What the anti-Federalists were for: The political thought of the opponents of the Constitution. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Trapp, M. (2000). Created Equal: How the Declaration of Independence Recognizes and Guarantees the Right to Life for the Unborn. Pepp. L. Rev., 28, 819.