Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of the states, it is the source of all government powers, and also provides important limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of United States citizens.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution
Thomas Jefferson's December 20, 1787, letter to James Madison contains objections to key parts of the new Federal Constitution. Primarily, Jefferson noted the absence of a bill of rights and the failure to provide for rotation in office or term limits, particularly for the chief executive.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html
Although Thomas Jefferson was in France serving as United States minister when the Federal Constitution was written in 1787, he was able to influence the development of the federal government through his correspondence.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html
Federal Hall in New York was the site of the meeting of the First Federal Congress in 1789. As secretary of state, Jefferson dealt with Congress here for less than one year before the Federal Government relocated to Philadelphia in 1790, as part of the agreement to create a permanent federal capital district.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html
Delaware was the first state to ratify, on December 7, 1787. After New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, on June 22, 1788, the Confederation Congress established March 9, 1789, as the date to begin operating under the Constitution.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution
In the various public offices he held, Jefferson sought to establish a federal government of limited powers. In the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson and Aaron Burr deadlocked, creating a constitutional crisis.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html
James Madison introduced 12 amendments to the First Congress in 1789. Ten of these would go on to become what we now consider to be the Bill of Rights. One was never passed, while another dealing with Congressional salaries was not ratified until 1992, when it became the 27th Amendment.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution
Find out how and where to look for a new job or career, get help if you are unemployed, and more.
https://www.usa.gov/
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States. Learn more about our founding document.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution
The need for the Constitution grew out of problems with the Articles of Confederation, which established a firm league of friendship between the states, and vested most power in a Congress of the Confederation.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution
when was the us federal government established
The Federal government of the United States was established in 1789. The United States Federal Government was established in 1789.