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The American experiment and experience has been unique
in the history of the world. The United States as a
country was forged by the sword, and more importantly,
dually created by the pen. The historic documents presented
here, are as significant to us in the twentieth century as
they were to our Founding Fathers and predecessors.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
The Mayflower Compact Back To Links
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT)
This document was the first political agreement for self-government in America. It was signed on November 21 (then November 11), 1620, aboard the ship Mayflower anchored off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Compact was patterned after the Pilgrims' church covenant which gave authority to the members. It was thought necessary to take this course of action because they were about to settle in an area outside the jurisdiction of their patent issued by the Virginia Company of London, and because several passengers threatened to make their own rules once ashore. The Pilgrim leaders persuaded forty-one of the male adults on board to sign the Mayflower Compact, and set up a government in Plymouth Colony. The agreement was designed to ensure order in the colony through laws made by the Pilgrims themselves or until their right of self-government could be established by a new company patent or royal charter. The Mayflower Compact bound the founders in a "Civill body politick" to frame "just & equal Lawes ... convenient for ye generall good of ye colonie". It remained in force for seventy-one years until Plymouth was absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. The original document has long since disappeared; however, William Bradford, second governor of Plymouth colony, reported what is probably very close to the original spelling and punctuation in his history Of Plimouth Plantation.
The Declaration of Independence Back To Links
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE)
This is the document in which the thirteen American colonies announced their freedom from British rule. Beside our federal Constitution, the Declaration of Independence is the single most important document in American history and ranks as one of the greatest in the history of mankind. The date of its adoption by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, is celebrated as the birthday of the United States.The movement toward independence did not happen overnight. For over ten years before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, many colonists became angered when Britain continually taxed them without letting them have a voice in the government, and also when British policy took away their personal liberties. In the Fall of 1774, representatives from twelve of the colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and convened the First Continental Congress. At this time, there was probably no strong desire for independence from England, however, the delegates did want to organize a common front in opposition to British taxes and other restraining acts.
The British Parliament made no effort to meet the demands of Congress and matters got worse in April, 1775, when colonists and British troops clashed at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts. One month later, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, but there was still no strong movement for independence. Although Congress voted to organize an army and a navy and print paper money to pay for a war, it sent one final appeal to King George III. But that appeal was useless. Parliament put new restrictions on American trade and sent more soldiers to try to control the colonies.
In January, 1776, the independence movement was helped along by Thomas Paine's Common Sense. The pamphlet attacked the institution of a monarchy and presented very sound arguments for American freedom. By Spring of that year, several of the state legislatures authorized their delegates to vote for independence.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution to Congress declaring that:
these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.The resolution was debated for two days, and although there was a strong feeling for independence, some delgates still believed or hoped that the disputes with England could be remedied. A final vote on the resolution was postponed until July 1.Meanwhile, on June 11, a committee of five was appointed by Congress to draft a formal Declaration of Independence. The group consisted of: Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert R. Livingston of New York. The committee asked Jefferson to write the draft, and he did so in about two weeks. A few changes were made by Adams and Franklin, but on June 28, the committee reported to Congress that they had completed their task.
The debate on the Lee resolution took place on July 1 as scheduled, and it passed on July 2. The delegates then considered Jefferson's draft. A number of passages and phrases were deleted or changed. The most important dealt with not condemning the British people as a whole and the censure of the crown for allowing the slave trade. The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted without dissent on July 4, 1776. It was signed by John Hancock of Massachusetts, president of Congress and Charles Thomson of Pennsylvania, secretary of Congress, and ordered to be printed in the form of a short poster. Copies were sent to all of the states. The declaration was publicly read in Philadelphia on July 8 and July 9 in New York before George Washington and the Continental Army.
A copy of the Declaration of Independence was "engrossed", or written in attractive script, on parchment paper. Beginning on August 2, 1776, it was signed by the members of Congress. Excluding Secretary Thomson, who was not a delegate, the Declaration was eventually signed by fifty-six delegates, some of whom had not been present when it was adopted. This copy of the Declaration is preserved at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The Declaration of Independence can be divided into five sections: 1) the preamble; 2) a statement of political ideas; 3)a list of charges against King George II of England; 4) a description of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problems between Britain and the colonies; and 5) the claim of independence for the thirteen states. No new concepts were presented in the declaration - the theories of political and social justice were held by many philosophers of the time. But, the document's eloquent style aroused the freedom-loving people here and abroad. It justified to the American public, Britain, the world, and future generations the decision to become indpendent of British rule. At the time of it's adoption and during the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence was a driving statement of the reasons and principles for which patriots fought.
The Constitution of the United States Back To Links
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE CONSTITUTION)
The Constitution of the United States established the fundamental laws of the United States of America. It was drafted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between May 25 and September 17, 1787, and it is the oldest written constitution still in effect in the world.After the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), our national leaders formed a national government under the Articles of Confederation; however, the Articles were too weak and had no authority to make the thirteen original states work together in handling national problems. In 1786, it was agreed that representatives from each of the states would assmeble in Philadelphia in May, 1787, and try to revise the Articles. Accordingly, delegates from twelve states responded (Rhode Island sent no representatives). Although there was disagreement about details, almost every delegate was united in wanting the new government strong enough to rule the country, but respectful of state and personal liberties. The delegates drew on their past experiences, the great Magna Carta, the "Age of Enlightenment", and the forms of many state constititutions to create the Constitution. Compromises solved several enormous disputes during the drafting.
The Constitution consisted of a preamble and seven articles. It established a federal system dividing powers between national and state governments. A balanced national government was created by dividing authority among three separate branches: 1) the legislative (Congress) - makes the laws; 2) the executive (President) - enforces the laws; and 3) the judicial (Supreme Court) - interprets the laws. Our Constitution gives the federal government some expressed powers (those listed), while others are implied (reasonably suggested). Some powers are reserved and belong to the people or the states. Concurrent powers may be acted on by the national or state levels, but in all of the above powers the Supreme Court has the final authority to explain the Constitution.
On September 17, 1787, a copy of the Constitution engrossed on parchment was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Convention. This copy is preserved at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It was agreed that each state would hold its own convention to discuss and note on the Constitution. As the nine states ratified it, the Constitution would become effective. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787 - New Hampshire was the ninth on June 21, 1788.
The Bill of Rights Back To Links
Other Amendments To The Constitution
(CLICK ON TITLES ABOVE TO READ THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND OTHER AMENDMENTS)
Many leaders opposed the adoption of our Constitution because it did not contain a Bill of Rights, and several important states might not have ratified the Constitution if they had not been promised that amendments would be added. The original Constitution had few guaranties for the protection of individual liberties, and most Americans felt that a clear statement of these rights was necessary in order to make the document complete.The Bill of Rights describes the basic rights of the people and forbids the government from denying these liberties. Included are the freedoms of speech, of religion, of the press, and the right to assemble.
James Madison proposed fifteen amendments to Congress. Eventually, twelve of them were submitted to the states for approval. By December 15, 1791, a majority of the states had approved ten of the twelve amendments. These ten became a permanent addition to the Constitution and are known as the Bill of Rights.
Other Amendments or additions to the Constitution have been made since the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Amendments are proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress. When three-fourths of the states approve the amendment, it becomes part of the Constitution. Including the Bill of Rights, there are presently twenty-six amendments to the Constitution.
The Emancipation Proclamation Back To Links
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION)
The Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln is the historic document that led to the end of slavery in the United States. It was issued on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War and proclaimed freedom for slaves in all ares of the South that were still fighting against the North. As "a fit and necessary war measure", it also allowed for the use of blacks in the Union army and navy.When eleven southern states withdrew from the Union in 1860 and 1861, and formed the Confederate States of America, one of their main reasons and concerns was that Lincoln would restrict their right to do as they pleased about the question of slavery. The war that began in April, 1861, and formed the Confederate States of America, one of their main reasons and concerns was that Lincoln would restrict their right to do as they pleased about the question of slavery. The war that began in April, 1861, however, was carried on by the North solely to reunite the country and not to end slavery. For about the first one and one-half years, the Confederates were mostly victorious in the East, and many people in the North, particularly those that wanted to free the slaves, were growing weary. At first, Lincoln felt that freeing all the slaves would further divide the country because there were slaves in some states that did not secede from the Union. Convinced of a plan with merit, Lincoln in 1862 awaited a Northern military triumph to put it into effect. The opportunity came after the September 17, Battle of Antietam, Maryland. Tactically, the battle was a draw, but strategically it was a moral, political and diplomatic Northern victory and led to the issue of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22. This document gave the rebellious states until January 1, 1863, to return to the Union, or Lincoln would declare their slaves "forever free". This measure was rejected by the South, so the Emancipation Proclamation was issued as promised.
The effect of the Proclamation was not felt immediately, but it did discourage European recognition of the South. England and France may have entered the war on the side of Confederacy, however, as most of their citizens opposed slavery, the moral fight now prevented this from happening. The Emancipation Proclamation did not in reality free a single slave, because it only applied to areas not controlled by the North. As slaves fled to Northern lines fro freedom, it did weaken the South's war effort and strngthen the North's. Blacks who joined the Union Army and navy, or served as laborers, helped solve the problem of declining enlistments. By the war's end, almost 200,000 Afro-Americans, many of them former slaves, served in the United States armed forces. Not until the 13th Amendment to the constitution became law on December 18, 1965, was slavery abolished in all parts of the United States.
The Gettysburg Address Back To Links
(CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS)
The The Gettysburg Address was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Battle of Gettsyburg (July 1-July 3, 1863), had caused a death toll of over 7,000 Union and confederate soldiers and almost four times that number of wounded. Most of the dead were buried in temporary graves on the battlefield, but some bodies were removed by family members to their home towns for internment. Shortly after the battle it was decided that the Union Soldiers should have a proper burial site and land was purchased on Cemetery Hill next to a private cemetery. The bodies of over 3,000 Union soldiers were reburied in the National Cemetery, - Confederate dead were left in their graves on the battlefield until some time after the war when they were removed to the South.The Pledge of Allegiance Back To LinksA formal consecration of the new cemetery was set for late October, 1863; however, the intended main speaker, Edward Everett of Massachusetts, said he needed more time to prepare a suitable oration. The ceremonies were rescheduled for November 19 and almost as an afterthought an invitation to speak was extended to President Lincoln.
Lincoln probably wrote most of his speech in Washington, but may have made changes to it during his stay in Gettysburg. There are five copies of the address in Lincoln's handwriting. One copy is preserved at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
About 10:00 a.m. on November 19, the President mounted a large horse and rode in an elaborate procession to the cemetery. The ceremonies began shortly after noon in the presence of cabinet members, governors of Northern states, other civil and military leaders, and a crowd of spectators estimated at 15,000. After a dirge, the invocation, and the playing of "Old Hundred" by the Marine Band, Mr. Everett rose to speak. His speech lasted almost two hours and was full of flowery metaphors in which he described the battle and denounced secession. It was well received by the crowd. Lincoln's turn came following an ode by the Baltimore Glee Club.
Lincoln spoke only a little over two minutes, and according to a reporter for the New York Times, was interrupted several times by applause and there was "long continued applause" when he finished. Some opposition newspapers called the address "dull and commonplace", but Everett and others saw its worth at once. A Cincinnati paper pronounced it "deep in feeling, compact in thought and expression, and tasteful and elegant in every word and comma." The President had, in so many words, expressed the hope for a fair and equal government for all. Never had the national creed been spoken so elegantly. The dead were properly honored and the living inspired for all time.
