There have been so many debates about what motivated the founders of the constitution in the United States. Some people have argued that their motives were their economic interests.[1]
These people had the belief that the founders were economic elites who wanted a constitution that would be of more importance in protecting their wealth. However, the historical context, as well as the settled law puts it clear that the founders had an understanding of the need for a federal government to enhance interaction with other foreign countries and to reduce the opposition amongst the states. According to them, the national government could not be so keen to avoid resemblance with the government that the American Revolution had thrown from power.
The original states in America had to send delegates to frame the constitution. For instance, the state of Pennsylvania sent eight delegates, New York sent three while New Jersey State sent five delegates. However, not all of the representatives present signed for the implementation of the constitution. Nonetheless, they were trying to create a national system governed by the constitution. The issue of debt repayment also motivated the delegates in forming the constitution.[2]
Due to the debt incurred during the Revolutionary War, none of the states wanted to pay more than what they regarded as their rightful share which led to shaky finances for the newly formed nation. There was also an absence of a regulatory system for interstate commerce which could lead to trade wars between the states. The delegates were property elites, and hence they did not want their wealth to be wiped out because of the weak economy. Thus, they established the constitution to enhance the nation's security regarding military and economy.
The constitution was believed by some people to be primarily an economic document since the delegates involved in its creation had financial reasons for doing so. Representatives from Pennsylvania -PA, New York- NY and New Jersey- NJ had different economic interests for their states (The National Archives).[3] There were those who were interested in the public security, and they included David Brearly-NJ, George Clymer-PA, Jonathan Dayton-NJ, Thomas Fitzsimons-PA, Alexander Hamilton- NY, John Lansing Jr- NY, Thomas Mifflin- PA, Robert Morris- PA and James Wilson- PA. Some were interested in real estate and land speculation, and they entailed Jonathan Dayton- NY, Thomas Fitzsimons-PA, Benjamin Franklin- PA, Alexander Hamilton- NY, Robert Morris- PA and James Wilson- PA. Others were interested in lending and investments like George Clymer-PA, Thomas Fitzsimons-PA, Benjamin Franklin- PA and Jared Ingersoll-PA. There were some from Pennsylvania who had interests in manufacturing and shipping, and they were George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Thomas Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, and Robert Morris.
The delegates were also believed to have been motivated by the Scotch-Irish immigration. Notably, it was a critical factor that contributed to the revolution and hence influenced the formation of the government.[4] There was a need to have laws to counter the Scotch-Irish rules and oppression and also control the racial differences that existed between the Scots and the English.
Generally, the immediate objectives of founding the constitution were order restoration, enabling the United States in making commercial agreements and treaties which were satisfactory, providing favorable conditions which would ensure the flourishing of commerce and trade, and facilitating the managing of the Indian affairs and the western lands.[5]
The significant impact of the constitution was the development of a unified country. Initially, the states were independent but later, the federal government obtained much power.
Bibliography
Golove, David M., and Daniel J. Hulsebosch. "A Civilized Nation: The Early American Constitution, the Law of Nations, and the Pursuit of International Recognition." NYUL Rev. 85 (2010): 932.
Holton, Woody. Forced Founders: Indians, debtors, slaves, and the making of the American Revolution in Virginia. UNC Press Books, 2011.
Jim Webb. Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America, Part Four: The Spirit of a Revolution. 2005:121-173.
John P Roche. The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action. American Political Science Review, 1961: 799-816.
The National Archives. Retrieved from: (www.archives.gov).
[1] John P Roche. The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action. American Political Science Review, 1961: 799-816.
[2] Holton, Woody. Forced Founders: Indians, debtors, slaves, and the making of the American Revolution in Virginia. UNC Press Books, 2011.
[3] The National Archives. Retrieved from: (www.archives.gov).
[4] Jim Webb. Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America, Part Four: The Spirit of a Revolution. 2005:121-173.
[5] Golove, David M., and Daniel J. Hulsebosch. "A Civilized Nation: The Early American Constitution, the Law of Nations, and the Pursuit of International Recognition." NYUL Rev. 85 (2010): 932.
