The constitution is the fundamental law of a country, is the modern country, is an important feature of democracy. But the Constitution does not have since ancient times, the world's oldest written constitution of the United States of America was born in the young, and that is American 1787 constitution. It is unbelievable, the Constitution in force since 1789, but has made 27 amendments to the Constitution and the formation of a series of constitutional case, any constitutional text itself does not change, which is unique in the history of world constitution. People can not help but wonder, why America constitution, is what caused this have no predecessors initiative. The beginning of human democratic constitutionalism, far-reaching impact on the development of human society USA behind the constitution have what unknown story?

   All the delay for a long time but also from the America war of independence about. Since 1620 the "May flower" carrying 102 people of all ages and both sexes starting from the British port of Plymouth, thousands of symplectic, crossed the Pacific Ocean to the North American continent, the establishment of the first block of Virginia colonies, to eighteenth Century 30 years, the British in east coast American established 13 colonies. After one hundred years of development, to the middle of the eighteenth Century, the colonial American economy has got great development, in international trade can even compete with england. The British North American colonies to make become ever raw materials and markets and the colonial economy continue to strengthen the control of the British Empire, and in order to ensure the global expansion of financial support, the colonial increasing taxes to search as much wealth. The intensification of the colonies in North America and England contradictions, and ultimately the irreconcilable. Finally in 1775 by the Lexington shooting opened the prelude to the American War of independence.

   At the beginning of the war, the North American state militia in the face of strong British retreat, state leaders aware of the need to set up an alliance to integrate the strength. So in May 10, 1775 held the Continental Congress in philadelphia. The Continental Congress adopted the Continental Army and the command of Washington's decision, issued a "Declaration of independence", and to discuss the draft, the final in November 15, 1777 through to "to form a confederation and make the colony more closely connected to the" articles of Confederation "". "Articles of Confederation" United States in Congress leadership, but "states except in the public defense, security and social welfare together, each state retained as a colony on autonomy". In this reservation intent, "articles of Confederation" soon exposed many defects, of which the most important are: the Congress of the United States has the right of coinage and the right of debt, but had no power to tax, which makes the new government does not have the ability to repay debt, nor an executive body quickly to make effective decisions when necessary. This has caused great difficulties to the war of independence. 1777 - 1778 winter the serious lack of food and clothing, facing a severe test. "The main problem is not the several times in the American British occupied Philadelphia, but because the wagon, bad weather and the road is not good, resulting in transportation problems, coupled with the political opposition and the lack of an execution mechanism, meeting."

   As commander in chief of the army and the revolutionary leader, Washington in the maintenance of forces, strive for victory on the "articles of Confederation" states do not fight the enemy separately, problems still act of one's own free will cause particularly impressive. He passed over in one's mind, feel American survival under severe threat comes not from the British, but from their own. Only primary school culture of Washington is good at writing, but are generally very short. In December 18, 1778, Washington was to his friend, Virginia's governor, wrote a long letter to Colonel Benjamin Harrison. In the letter he said, "national priority" was ignored, unity is "partisan and personal dispute" loss. "Our state is too dispersed, will focus on the state of affairs, a lot of people have the ability to leave the house to the state interests". He is very sad "as the cause of loyal followers; as a private industry every day by the loss, in the dispute once victory over even the general small gains are not people; as a loyal hope USA prosperity, however see or think he saw American is on the brink of destruction", begged Harrison to he is the most outstanding, the most capable person sent to participate in the congress. And puts forward, want to build a great nation, its people need to adhere to and strive to achieve the following principles: a strong and powerful forces; people's solidarity and no conflict; strong and free economy; people with virtue.

   However, the situation has not improved. When Washington in the new year to strive for the victory of the war, the price still rose, be indifferent to the social parties each sticks to his own viewpoint, greed is exuberant, luxury in Congress, jealousy and betrayal of narrow occurred in the top brass. All these are the USA independent caused great difficulties, threatening American of vital importance.

   In October 19, 1781, the British general Cornwallis surrendered signed "agreement". However, signed the "peace treaty", USA war of independence, two years later, in September 3, 1783. In the past two years, both sides no war, the government with its very be hardly worthy of belief inefficient will war stretched.

   Not only that, after the victory of the war veterans face fair treatment, and other countries, trade issues, the war loan repayment problems and how to control the western territory and the slave policy issues, no taxation without administrative power energy Congress be nonplussed over sth., the only thing they can do is collective debate, this is very difficult to obtain in response to the suggestions of the state government. Results in 1781, the United States debt rising to $40000000, on the verge of bankruptcy. Because Congress had no power to tax, they also do not keep your promise, Congress printed paper notes become worthless, has been unable to control inflation.

   "Articles of Confederation" lower energy Congress on neonatal USA's inability to maintain a strong social discontent, especially in the army. The soldiers work hard and perseveringly to win the war, but a few months no salary. They cast their homes during the war of independence, even the fare home also have no, the contribution of the most precious youth, endured suffering including death, get is "devoid of gratitude society" trapped them in debt. Then some soldiers armed together, claiming to be marched on Parliament Hill, for compensation to bring home the bacon. Even a man named Lewis Nicola captain for the army and government are not as difficult and they think "Republic of defects", wrote to Washington proposed a "plan", is by the army for USA pick a king, and Washington is the best candidate. Washington wrote to Nicola and said, "anything that happens during the war are not like what you said let me pain."

   In this critical moment, Washington wrote a letter circulated letter to 13 governors, presents a problem, USA "to become a respected and prosperous country, or a poor country?" If American people to prove their "natural law and God bestow give them equal self-reliance in the world powers" rights, they must let everyone see them to establish and maintain an efficient government. So Washington puts forward four basic points is the most important relation to the United States with the independent right of survival, of which the most important point is in a federal government under the leadership of the state, the formation of indecomposable alliance.

   The summer of 1785, Massachusetts, debt ridden farmers mobilized about 500 people took part in the uprising under the leadership of Daniel Sheth, most of these people are veterans. Although the uprising was suppressed in a few months, but it caused deep concern USA patriotic leaders widely. By 1786, the recession has also reached the valley. Finally in August 7, 1786, Charles Pinkney of South Carolina, the restructuring of the government to repair the "articles of Confederation" shortage ", in order to achieve a common defense, to protect civil liberties, aim to provide the general welfare" proposal. And eventually led to the convening of the constitutional convention in May 14, 1787.

   The story here, like we finally understand why America dare be the world first held a constitutional convention to enact the constitution have no predecessors. It is America to be established by this constitution, giving the federal government a strong state power, to establish a strong national, to prove their "natural law and God bestow give them equal self-reliance in the world powers" rights to the world. However, this is not the whole story. Due to the fact that not everyone is happy to see the establishment of a powerful federal constitution. In fact, the opening day of the meeting, only Virginia and Pennsylvania state representative to be present. Rhodes island to finally refused to attend, because in their view, it seems to be a subversion of state government.

   Similar concerns about the Rhodes Island, is widespread in the Convention, so there is a group of people known as the anti federalists. They experienced British tyranny rule, know when the government too much power expansion is what taste, in order to get rid of the oppression, they also carried out a war. They feel the Constitution gives the federal power is too big, afraid of the chief executive enjoys administrative power perhaps what it evolved into a king. Alexander Martin of North Carolina was "not to mind taking the trouble with enthusiasm, the central government is only meant to protect the state government, not to rule the people: the power should be limited in a narrow range, if the given the central government's power is too small, can increase; but if too much, will never come back". So a part of the anti Federalists opposed the constitution, another part of the compromise, but hope that through the constitution to limit the power of government.

   Therefore.USA by formulating the constitution of 1787, the Department of the oldest written constitution, the federal authority, to establish a strong country at the same time, through the design of the system of separation of the three powers to restrict the power of country, protect citizen's freedom, in order to build a strong enough to avoid anarchy and limit not be put tyranny of government. The core principle of the Constitution: republicanism and the principle of separation of powers, later became the basic principles of democracy. In fact, as John Quincy Adams said in describing the constitution, "but is forced out from actual need a restive country that tough in."

(this article published in "Tsinghua University Graduate School of" 352nd period)