A History of the United States Constitution: United States History Series, #1

By Paul R. Wonning

A  History of the United States Constitution

The story of the United States Constitution begins with the Albany Plan of Union in 1754 and stretches into modern times with the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments. A Short History of the United States Constitution relates its history as well as many of the documents leading up to it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mossy Feet Books
• Release date: Feb 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224294930

Paul R. Wonning

Publisher of history, gardening, travel and fiction books. Gardening, history and travel seem an odd soup in which to stew one's life, but Paul has done just that. A gardener since 1975, he has spent his spare time reading history and traveling with his wife. He gardens, plans his travels and writes his books out in the sticks near a small town in southeast Indiana. He enjoys sharing the things he has learned about gardening, history and travel with his readers. The many books Paul has written reflect that joy of sharing. He also writes fiction in his spare time. Read and enjoy his books, if you will. Or dare.

Book preview

A History of the United States Constitution

United States History Series, Volume 1

Paul R. Wonning

Published by Mossy Feet Books, 2024.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

First edition. February 9, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Paul R. Wonning.

ISBN: 979-8224294930

Written by Paul R. Wonning.

A History of the United States Constitution

A Guide to the United States Founding Documents

United States Documents Series

Paul R. Wonning

Description

The story of the United States Constitution begins with the Albany Plan of Union in 1754 and stretches into modern times with the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments. A Short History of the United States Constitution relates its history as well as many of the documents leading up to it.

A History of the United States Constitution

Published Paul R. Wonning

Copyright 2019 by Paul R. Wonning

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Table of Contents

July 10, 1754, - Albany Plan of Union Adopted

October 07, 1765 - Stamp Act Congress

October 07, 1765 - John Dickenson Attends Stamp Act Congress

October 19, 1765 - Stamp Act Congress Adopts Declaration of Rights and Grievances

October 25, 1765 - Stamp Act Congress Adjourns

December 16, 1773 - Boston Tea Party

December 17, 1773 - Paul Revere Ride from Boston to New York - Tea Party News

Committees of Correspondence

May 17, 1774 - Rhode Island Calls for a Colonial Conference

May 20, 1774 - Massachusetts Government Act - Coercive Act

May 21, 1774 - Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence Issues Call for Colonial Conference

May 23, 1774 - New York Committee of Correspondence Issues Call for Colonial Conference

May 26, 1774 - Virginia Governor Dunmore Dissolves House of Burgesses

May 27, 1774 - Delegates of Dissolved House of Burgesses Form Association

June 17, 1774 - Massachusetts Assembly Chooses Delegates to Continental Congress

July 01, 1774 - Massachusetts Government Act Takes Effect

July 17, 1774 - George Mason, Patrick Henry and George Washington Write Fairfax Resolves

July 18, 1774 - Virginia Convention Passes Fairfax Resolves

September 05, 1774 - First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia

October 22, 1774 - John Galloway's Plan for a North American Parliament Defeated

September 11, 1774 - Suffolk Resolves

September 11, 1774 - Paul Revere Ride from Boston to New York - Suffolk Resolves

September 17, 1774 - Suffolk Resolves Endorsed by the Continental Congress

September 21, 1774 - Patriot Leaders Meet - Urge Communities to Form Minute Men Companies

October 07, 1774 - Massachusetts Provincial Congress Forms

October 20, 1774 - Congress created the Continental Association

October 21, 1774 - First Continental Congress Invites Other British Colonies to Participate

October 26, 1774 - First Continental Congress Adjourns

December 12, 1774 - Paul Revere Ride from Boston to New York - Portsmouth

May 05, 1775 - Ben Franklin Arrives in Philadelphia

May 6, 1776 - Declaration of Independence - Fifth Virginia Convention Convenes

May 10, 1775 - Second Continental Congress Convenes

May 15, 1775 - Lyman Hall Admitted as Parish of St. John's Delgate from Georgia

1775-07-21 - Benjamin Franklin Submits His Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union

May 15, 1776 - Declaration of Independence - Virginia Convention Passes Resolution

On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee introduced the resolution that helped lead to the Declaration of Independence almost a month later.

June 11, 1776 - Committee of Five Appointed

June 12, 1776 - Articles of Confederation - Committee Appointed

June 28, 1776 - Committee Submits Draft

July 2, 1776 - Congress Adopts Resolution for Independence

July 04, 1776 - Continental Congress Approves Wording of the Declaration of Independence

November 15, 1777 - Continental Congress Adopts the Articles of Confederation

January 30, 1781 - Articles Of Confederation Ratified By 13Th State Maryland

May 25, 1787 - Constitutional Convention Meets - First Time

May 29, 1787 - Pickney Plan Presented

May 29, 1787 - Virginia Plan Presented

May 30, 1787 - Edmund Randolph Proposes Establishing a National Government

June 11, 1787 - Sherman Plan Proposed

June 15, 1787 - New Jersey Plan Presented

June 18, 1787 - Hamilton Plan Presented

June 20, 1787 - Oliver Ellsworth Proposed the Name United States

July 02, 1787 - Gerry Committee Appointed

July 05, 1787- Grand Committee Report

August 06, 1787 - Constitutional Convention Reconvenes

July 16, 1787 - Connecticut Compromise Approved by Committee

July 24, 1787 - Committee of Five Appointed to Write First Draft of Constitution

September 15, 1787 - Constitutional Convention Approves the United States Constitution

September 17, 1787 - Constitutional Convention Adjourns

Ratification Time Line

Public Debate – Anti-Federalist and Federalist Papers

The Constitution of the United States

A Short History of the United States Constitution

A Short History of the United States Congress

A Short History of U. S. House of Representatives

A Short History of the United States Senate

A Short History of the United States Electoral College

A Short History of the United States Supreme Court

United States Constitution Bill of Rights

A Short History of the Bill of Rights

A Short History of the Eleventh Amendment

Short History of the Twelfth Amendment

Short History of the Thirteenth Amendment

Short History of the Fourteenth Amendment

Short History of the Fifteenth Amendment

A Short History of the Sixteenth Amendment

A Short History of the Seventeenth Amendment

A Short History of the Eighteenth Amendment

A Short History of the Nineteenth Amendment

A Short History of the Twentieth Amendment

A Short History of the Twenty First Amendments

A Short History of the Twenty Second Amendment

A Short History of the Twenty-Third Amendment

A Short History of the Twenty Fourth Amendments

A Short History of the Twenty Fifth Amendments

A Short History of the Twenty Sixth Amendments

A Short History of the Twenty Seventh Amendments

Un-ratified Amendments

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Mossy Feet Books Catalogue

Sample Chapter

1775

February 07, 1775 - Ben Franklin Delivers An Imaginary Speech

Back to Table of Contents

A History of the United States Constitution

Paul R. Wonning

July 10, 1754, - Albany Plan of Union Adopted

Albany Plan of Union

When Benjamin Franklin learned that colonial leaders planned a Congress in Albany, New York in 1754 to plan united action on several issues he printed the cartoon Join or Die, in his newspaper. The cartoon appeared in The Pennsylvania Gazette and featured a dead snake cut into thirteen pieces, the implication being that the colonies, like a snake cut into pieces, would perish if they remained disunited.

Reasons for the Albany Congress

Originally encouraged by the King and Parliament to propose a treaty to deal with the Iroquois tribe, Colonial leaders also intended to discuss taking united action on several other issues regarding mutual defense. The French still controlled Canada and the Spanish threatened from the south. There was always the threat from the various Amerindian tribes. During this time the French were stirring up the native tribes in the Ohio Valley to attack the British settlements in Virginia and Pennsylvania. The colonies that bordered Canada suffered frequent incursions from the northern tribes. Many colonial leaders were coming to the conclusion that a plan for united defense from all colonies would be beneficial to all. Not surprisingly, Benjamin Franklin came up with a plan. The colonial assemblies in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire all sent representatives to this Congress. Pennsylvania chose Benjamin Franklin to represent the colony.

An Emerging Idea

The idea of a united Colonial government had occurred to many Colonial leaders at the time, Franklin among them. Many had published articles outlining proposals for these plans. Franklin was one of these men and during his trip from Philadelphia to Albany he penned letters to several of the New York delegates with proposals. During this trip he wrote a draft version of his plan.

The Albany Congress

The Congress held its first session on June 19, 1754. The delegates held a vote on June 24 to consider union and the result was a unanimous consensus to formulate a plan for union. The committee charged with writing it submitted a draft version on June 28. From that date until July 10, the Congress debated and revised the plan. On July 10, 1754 the delegates voted to adopt the plan and sent it out to the colonial assemblies for consideration.

Rejection by the Assemblies, the King and Parliament

Parliamentary leaders and the King studied the plan and decided not to push it in the colonies. They had initially encouraged a union of some sort but upon considering the plan they feared that they were creating a political entity that they could not control. The various assemblies considered the plan and all rejected it. They feared losing some of their power and taxing authority to a centralized government. The colonies were not quite ready for a unified government. Delegates from these colonies first met on June 19, 1754.

It is proposed that humble application be made for an act of Parliament of Great Britain, by virtue of which one general government may be formed in America, including all the said colonies, within and under which government each colony may retain its present constitution, except in the particulars wherein a change may be directed by the said act, as hereafter follows.

1. That the said general government be administered by a President-General, to be appointed and supported by the crown; and a Grand Council, to be chosen by the representatives of the people of the several Colonies met in their respective assemblies.

2. That within—months after the passing such act, the House of Representatives that happen to be sitting within that time, or that shall be especially for that purpose convened, may and shall choose members for the Grand Council, in the following proportion, that is to say,

Massachusetts Bay - 7

New Hampshire - 2

Connecticut - 5

Rhode Island - 2

New York - 4

New Jersey - 3

Pennsylvania - 6

Maryland - 4

Virginia - 7

North Carolina - 4

South Carolina - 4

Total - 48

3.—who shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadelphia, being called by the President-General as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment.

4. That there shall be a new election of the members of the Grand Council every three years; and, on the death or resignation of any member, his place should be supplied by a new choice at the next sitting of the Assembly of the Colony he represented.

5. That after the first three years, when the proportion of money arising out of each Colony to the general treasury can be known, the number of members to be chosen for each Colony shall, from time to time, in all ensuing elections, be regulated by that proportion, yet so as that the number to be chosen by any one Province be not more than seven, nor less than two.

6. That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, and oftener if occasion require, at such time and place as they shall adjourn to at the last preceding meeting, or as they shall be called to meet at by the President-General on any emergency; he having first obtained in writing the consent of seven of the members to such call, and sent duly and timely notice to the whole.

7. That the Grand Council have power to choose their speaker; and shall neither be dissolved, prorogued, nor continued sitting longer than six weeks at one time, without their own consent or the special command of the crown.

8. That the members of the Grand Council shall be allowed for their service ten shillings sterling per diem, during their session and journey to and from the place of meeting; twenty miles to be reckoned a day's journey.

9. That the assent of the President-General be requisite to all acts of the Grand Council, and that it be his office and duty to cause them to be carried into execution.

10. That the President-General, with the advice of the Grand Council, hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the general interest of the Colonies may be concerned; and make peace or declare war with Indian nations.

11. That they make such laws as they judge necessary for regulating all Indian trade.

12. That they make all purchases from Indians, for the crown, of lands not now within the bounds of particular Colonies, or that shall not be within their bounds when some of them are reduced to more convenient dimensions.

13. That they make new settlements on such purchases, by granting lands in the King's name, reserving a quitrent to the crown for the use of the general treasury.

14. That they make laws for regulating and governing such new settlements, till the crown shall think fit to form them into particular governments.

15. That they raise and pay soldiers and build forts for the defence of any of the Colonies, and equip vessels of force to guard the