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Besides their knowledge of the ancient classical governments of Greece and Rome and those of their own time, the Framers knew the political works of Blackstone, Montesquieu, Locke, and Rousseau. More immediately, they had learned from their experience in organizing and participating in the actions of the Second Continental Congress, the Articles of Confederation, and their own State governments. The Second Continental Congress, though it lacked a written Constitution, was by necessity a legislative body faced with the task of forming and equipping armies and a navy, raising money, and making treaties with foreign governments. Similarly, the new States, once they had rejected British rule, had to set up their own rules. Perhaps the common thread in all these experiences was the realization that a legitimate government could not exist without the consent of the governed. Thus limited power was given to the executive and judicial branches. Most power was placed in the legislature.

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Q: How did the US Constitution expand upon the basic ideas about government that the colonists had developed up to the time of the Constitutional Convention?
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Why was the constitutional convetion held?

the purpose was to make the federal government stronger and have more control over the colonists.... etc.


Why was 1787 important?

The Proclamation of 1763 was put into effect after the French and Indian War which convinced the colonists that the British government did not care about their needs because it halted expansion. Also, Britain's financial crisis brought about new laws that reinforced the colonists' opinion even more.


What were the direct and indirect causes of the Constitutional Convention?

Some of the direct causes are the British laws limiting the colonists some of the in direct causes are the British king king George the third. The Constitutional Convention was the result of flaws in the Articles of Confederation (the agreement among the States that preceded the Constitution). Because the central government had insufficient authority under the Articles, the States were not honoring each other's laws/currency and were imposing unreasonable restrictions on interstate travel, thus hampering commerce and communication.


What was the origin purpose of the US Constitution and what did the early colonists want to protect themselves from?

The founding fathers established the Constitution to do just two things: Establish a federal government for the United States of America Delegate to the federal government certain, limited (and enumerated) powers. they protect themselves from Great Britain


What best describes the eighteenth century colonists understanding of government for the people?

The eighteenth century colonists were frustrated with the government. The did not understand why they weren't permitted representation in front of the government.

Related questions

What convention did the colonists write the declaration of independence?

The Constitutional Convention


Why was the constitutional convetion held?

the purpose was to make the federal government stronger and have more control over the colonists.... etc.


Why was 1787 important?

The Proclamation of 1763 was put into effect after the French and Indian War which convinced the colonists that the British government did not care about their needs because it halted expansion. Also, Britain's financial crisis brought about new laws that reinforced the colonists' opinion even more.


What were the direct and indirect causes of the Constitutional Convention?

Some of the direct causes are the British laws limiting the colonists some of the in direct causes are the British king king George the third. The Constitutional Convention was the result of flaws in the Articles of Confederation (the agreement among the States that preceded the Constitution). Because the central government had insufficient authority under the Articles, the States were not honoring each other's laws/currency and were imposing unreasonable restrictions on interstate travel, thus hampering commerce and communication.


What did the delegates of the constitutional convention agree upon?

First tell us what 'the following' are.


Which events led up to the signing of the constitution?

The failure of the Articles of Confederation. This along with a need for a cohesive federal government to protect us from attacks by other country. The states were also experiencing problems with trade and money among themselves. On a side note it was Thomas Jefferson that brought up the idea of a Bill of Rights. He felt that the constitution did not do enough to protect peoples individual rights. Which is one of the reasons we fought against the British.


Is the Fundamental Constitution of Carolina still used?

No, the Fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas as abandoned in 1693 and replaced by a new form of government that took away power of the proprietors over the colonists.


What was the main topic of the Annapolis convention?

what were the issues facing the colonists at 1863


Why did the colonists want a weak government?

The colonists didn't want a weak central government. They sought a central government with limits on its powers They didn't want a government that would act as a dictator, as the King of England did. Many colonists believed that if they had stronger state governments, more power would be vested in them. This led to the creation of the articles of confederation. the articles of confederation had many problems, so eventually the constitution was written. The colonists finally settled on a constitution that left all powers not granted to the central government, to the States.


What did the Fundamental orders provide for the Connecticut colonists.?

The fundamental orders of Connecticut and the Mayflower compact were early simple forms of government. The fundamental orders of Connecticut is a form of the Constitution. The people in the colony of Connecticut were provided a representative government that allowed colonists to be elected and help in the decision of key issues or on laws/regulations.


How did James 2nd and governor andros limit new England colonists participation in government?

- by restricting the colonists' access to government meetings, function's of the government, any vote sessions, or any government secrets were restricted from the colonists.


What might be a specific reason that a colonists would oppose the constitution?

The Revolutionary War was fought to rid our corner of the world of a tyrant, the King of England. But the first "Constitution" or Articles of Confederation was too broad and make allowances for only a very limited central government. The centralized government was too limited. So a second was written (The Constitution) which allowed more power for a centralized government but with checks and balances so that no one branch could gain complete control. The Colonists were in opposition to the Constitution because it was not explicit in the freedoms of the individual. The Constitution in its original form would not have been ratified without the Bill of Rights which was added before it was presented to the individual states to ratify.