How We Became 'We the People'

A new, interactive website makes it possible for anyone to track the evolution of the U.S. Constitution -- from the original Convention to its ratification.

The National Constitution Center now displays the original documents drafted by the Framers of the Constitution in its earliest days. Can’t get to Philadelphia to see it in person? No problem.

Five original documents trace the earliest drafts of the Constitution, from the Report of the Constitutional Convention’s Resolutions in July of 1787, to the Official Printing of the final version, which was signed September 17, 1787.

The documentation reveals, for example, how the iconic Preamble to the Constitution evolved. The original version started with this phrase:

"RESOLVED: That the Government of the United States ought to consist of a Supreme Legislative, Judiciary and Executive..."

The next iteration, just days later, reads:

"We the People of the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North. Carolina, South. Carolina and Georgia do ordain, declare and establish the following Constitution for the Government of ourselves and of our Posterity"

And the final version, of course, reads:

"We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

That last change, to "We the People..." was initiated by James Wilson, a Founding Father and later one of the first Supreme Court Justices. Jeffrey Rosen, CEO of the National Constitution Center, said Wilson "is under-appreciated, but his huge contribution to the Constitution was to insist that the people, rather than the states, were sovereign”

This foundational idea later had lasting impacts on the U.S. For example, Abraham Lincoln refused the Southern states' declaration of secession because of that Preamble. Lincoln argued that a majority of the people would have to vote to allow that action.

What strikes you about the evolution of the Constitution and its early drafts? Do you consider it's foundational philosophies in your every day political thought? Let us know! Send us an email and we'll feature some of your thoughts on Countable!

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia / Creative Commons)