The Constitution Of The United States Of America - 1941 Words

The Constitution In 21st Century America The Constitution of the United States of America (U.S.) since its ratification in 1787 has seen its fair share of challenges such as conflicting interpretation as well as constant evolution such as ratifying new amendments to Bill of Rights as it is a living document. And with this constant conflict and evolution, some who have gained power within the United States Federal and State Governments have at times used their delegated powers against the American people or for their own use unconstitutionally. Therefore, as 21st Century Americans, we must ensure the security of the rights enumerated in the Constitution and add to it if there are rights that are not within the Constitution whether it is in the State Constitutions of the Federal Constitution. We as a society must focus upon securing our rights because if we do not then those who wish to deprive our lives of liberty will be free to do so and the American dream will dissipate and eventually become folklore. As the world continues to react to the Technology Revolution, easy access to technology that can use the Internet to find and spread information within a quarter of a second has become the lifeline to global interaction for millions across the world. And this ability to spread information has begun to worry the governments of countries that people rely heavily upon the internet. And for counties like China that have censored most of the free thinkers within their society,Show MoreRelatedThe Constitution And The United States Of America1267 Words   |  6 PagesThe Constitution helped the United States of America move forward in progressiveness and equality through several ways. It provided the citizens of America with basic rights and liberties through the Bill of Rights. It helped to make a stronger central government that could protect the governed by raising arms in defense. It helped secure a democratic government and prevent it from turning into a tyranny or dictatorship. In do ing this the Constitution has managed to become the single most importantRead MoreUnited States Of America Constitution845 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States of America Constitution The United States of America is by far the most successful Republic governed country in the world and has managed to survive for over 223 years. The success can be contributed to the foundation that the farmers created, which is the United States Constitution. The framers knew that with time the needs of the people would evolve due to changes in society. That being said, they knew that the regulations in the Constitution would need to be adjusted or expandedRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Of America Essay1700 Words   |  7 Pagesorigins. In the American system, the Constitution is held up as the ultimate document on how government functions in America. However, the writers of the Constitution had very different ideas about how government was to function ideally. These ideas formed two distinct camps of ideology: federalism and republicanism. The federalists were primarily concerned with how the collective was to function. In their eyes, every citizen had a responsibi lity to the state, the institution that expresses the willRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Of America1620 Words   |  7 Pageslegislature. ¨ The constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, created a bicameral national legislature, containing two separate chambers, The Senate and The House of Representatives. While Colonists had rebelled against British rule during the Revolutionary War, they drew out ideas about a new government centered around and pertaining to their experiences as British subjects. During this time it was obvious to why the delegates needed and formed an entirely different government. The constitution s preambleRead MoreThe United State Of America Constitution1523 Words   |  7 PagesOur founding fathers designed the United State of America Constitution under three uniquely different branches of government. This move was to create democracy and a state of mind of allowing people to have more power over their government. They wanted to create a n establishment in where people can live by democracy and the government did not execute extreme power like Europe did back in the early 1700’s. The three branches that existed consisted of the Legislative branch, consisting of CongressRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Of America1877 Words   |  8 Pagespast, reach back to â€Å"The Constitution of the United States Of America†. Take a minute to think of the first three words of the Constitution, â€Å"We the People†. Those words, we the people in the year 1787 were not referring to a disadvantaged class of people referenced within this paper. They being women and people of color. Progress has taken place in the 1900’s to include classes of people beyond the group of â€Å"White Males† inferred in 1787, when the United States Constitution was signed. As for theRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Of America1864 Words   |  8 Pagespast, reach back to â€Å"The Constituti on of the United States Of America†. Take a minute to think of the first three words of the Constitution, â€Å"We the People†. Those words, we the people in the year 1787 were not referring to a disadvantage class of people referenced within this paper. They being women and people of color. Progress has taken place in the 1900’s to include classes of people beyond the group of â€Å"White males† inferred in 1787, when the United States Constitution was signed. As for the pastRead MoreAmerica Under The Constitution Of The United States Essay1079 Words   |  5 Pagesbrought along much promise, however, it was going to be difficult for the United States to bring together its diverse population and keep control of its vast amounts of land while simultaneously trying to create a new nation. I. America Under the Constitution A. The Articles of Confederation 1. The first ratified Constitution of the United States was the Articles of Confederation, drafted by Congress in 1777 and ratified by the states four years later. a) The main idea of the Articles was to protectRead MoreThe United States Of America Has Been Governed By Two Constitutions1800 Words   |  8 PagesThe United States of America has been governed by two Constitutions in its entire history. The Articles of Confederation came into play on March 1, 1781 and was later ratified on June 21, 1788, later known as The Constitution. These important documents allowed our nation to protect itself and ensure the existence of The United States of America. The Articles of Confederation as well as The Constitution allowed for boundaries and rules to be set in place to protect the basic rights of citizens andRead MoreGovernmental Foundation in the Declaration of Independence Essay867 Words   |  4 Pages On July 4, 1776, the United States of Americas Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, announced that the thirteen colonies we re declaring their independence and, in doing so, were independent states apart from the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence is comprised mainly of colonial grievances and assertions of human rights. The Declaration of Independence formed a

Causes and Results free essay sample

Indias First War of Independence, termed Sepoy Riots by the British was an attempt to unite India against the invading British and to restore power to the Mogul emperor Bahadur Shah. The resistance disintegrated primarily due to lack of leadership and unity on the part of Indians, as also to cruel suppression by the British Army. It was a remarkable event in Indian history and marked the end of the Mughal empire and sealed Indias fate as a British colony for the next 100 years. Causes for the RevoltThere were many causes that ultimately lead to this revolt. For the sake of convenience they can divided into the following categories. 1. Social And Religious Causes2. Political Causes3. Military Causes| | 1. Social and Religious Causes A. Change in pattern of trade and commerce During the first two hundred years of its rule , the British East India Company confined its activities to trade and commerce. But in the 18th century the pattern of trade underwent a drastic change. With the onset of the the industrial revolution in England, many new industries came up and the dependance on Indian textiles came to an end. India became a raw material producing country and raw material which was purchased from India at very low costs was processed into finished goods in the factories in England and then exported back to India. British traders made enormous profits in this two way trade. B. Ruination of Artisans and Craftsmen C. Disgruntled Zamindars and Taluqdars The estates of many landlords were taken over by the East India Company when the native provinces came under the companys dominion. The estates of 21,000 Taluqdars were confiscated when Oudh was annexed. The dispossesed landlords found themselves without a source on income, ashamed to beg,unable to work and thus condemned to penury. D. Disbanded soldiers were seething with anger and were determined to revenge. E. Activities Of Missionaries The Indians had a lurking suspicion in their minds that they would be converted to Christianity under the new regime. CHurches and chaplains were established at Govt. expenses , even civil and military officers propogated the Christian gospel. F. New Laws The introduction of certain laws unsettled the mind of the Indians. Some of them were : Sati Ban Act Widow Remarriage Act They even looked upon the reforming zeal of British officials with suspicion. They were against introduction of railways as all the castes would have to travel in the same compartment. They were shocked when a law was passed allowing Hindu converts to Christianity to inherit their ancestral property. 2. Political Causes A. Lord Dalhousies Policy Of Annexation (Doctrine of Lapse) According to this policy the rulers of native princes could not install their adopted son on the throne. This was opposed to Nana Sahib the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II as he was refused the pension his father had been getting. Rani Laxmi Bai was also not allowed to install her adopted son on the throne. The house of the Mughals was humbled when it was announced that the successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar would not be allowed to use the title of King and would not be allowed to use the Historc Red Fort as thier palace and had to move to a place near the Qutb Minar. B. British disregard of treaties and pledges C. Exposure of myth of British Invincibilty The British had suffered very heavy losses in the 1st Afghan War , the rebellion of the Santhal tribes of Bihar and Orissa and the Crimean War. Moreover the people believed that the British rule had started after the battle of Plassey in 1757 and would end after the completion of a century. 3. Military Causes A. Ill-Treatment of Indian Soldiers in The East India Company B. Deprivation of foreign service allowance (Bhatta) C. General Services Enlistment Act According to this act the Indian soldiers in the EI Company had the obligation to serve wherever required. The extension of British frontiers involved their presence in strange, different lands. They dreaded sea voyage and considered it against their customs. D. Enfield Rifles This was perhaps the immediate cause of the revolt. The British introduced new rifles which had cartridges greased with the  fat of cows and pigs. The cover had to be plucked out by the teet before using. The Hindu and Muslim sepoys refused tot ouch these cartridges. Events Of The Revolt Violence The violence started on May 10, 1857 in Meerut, when Pandey, a soldier in the Army shot his commander for forcing the Indian troops to use the controversial rifles. Indians constituted 96% of the 300,000 British Army and the violence against British quickly spread (Hence the name Sepoy Mutiny). The local chiefs encouraged scattered revolts in hopes of regaining their lost privileges. Siege of Delhi Bahadur Shah II, pensioned descendant of the Mogul dynasty, was popularly acclaimed emperor. On June 8 a British relief force defeated an army of mutineers at Badli Sari and took up a position on the famous ridge, overlooking the city of Delhi. Nominally the besieging force, they were themselves besieged by the mutineers, who made a daring attempt to intercept their train. The arrival of more British reinforcements finally led to the defeat of the mutineers by John Nicholson, commander of the relief force. After six days of street fighting, Delhi was recaptured. This action was the turning point in the campaign and is known as Siege of Delhi. Bahadur Shah was captured and was exiled to Burma. British Take Control In spite of the loyalty of the Sikh troops, conquered only eight years before, and of the Gurkhas, the British commander, Sir Colin Campbell, had a difficult task. In addition to quelling the disturbance, he also had to protect the Ganges Valley and all of Hindustan against possible attacks from central India, to the south. Forces were dispatched from Madras and Bombay. However, the revolt had quickly spread to Kanpur and Lucknow. Kanpur, on the Ganges 250 miles southeast of Delhi, surrendered to the mutineers on June 28, 1857, and was the scene of a massacre before it was recaptured by the British on July 16. Lucknow, 45 miles  Ã‚  to the northeast, had been immediately besieged by the mutineers and was relieved by Henry Havelocks troops on September 25, five days after the final reoccupation of Delhi, the other chief center of the mutiny. However, Havelocks forces, even when joined by those of James Outram, were not strong enough to disarm and remove the enemy garrison, and they had to be relieved on November 16 by troops under Colin Campbell. The civilians of Lucknow were evacuated, but not until the siege of Mar. 9-16, 1858, had enough British troops massed to defeat the rebel army. The final stage of the mutiny took place in central India, which was aroused by a roving band of rebels under the Maratha General Tatya Tope. After his capture and execution in April 1859, the leaderless mutineers were soon pacified. Why It Failed? * Native Indian states, influenced by the example of powerful Hyderabad, did not join the rebels * Sikh soldiers of the Punjab area remained loyal to the British throughout. The Sikhs were a strong, well trained army, who the British had conquered using Indian soldiers. * The aging Bahadur Shah was neither a brave general, nor an astute leader of the people Epilogue In England, the mutiny proved the last straw on the heavy load of criticism and opposition which the East India Company had carried for some time. In August 1858, by the Act for the Better Government of India, its political authority was entrusted to a secretary of state. In August 1858 the British crown assumed control of India from the East India Company  Ã‚  and in 1877 Queen Victoria was crowned empress of India. The mutiny played a pivotal role in Anglo-Indian history. The British afterward became cautious and defensive about their empire, while many Indians remained bitter and would never trust their rulers again. It was not until the emergence of Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi  Ã‚  that Indians  Ã‚  re-gathered their momentum for home rule