How did the founding fathers view the concept of sovereignty?

The concept of sovereignty, or the supreme authority of a state to govern itself, was a central concern for the Founding Fathers of the United States. In particular, they sought to establish a system of government that would balance the power of the central government with the rights of individual citizens and the authority of the states.

Many of the Founding Fathers were deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, individualism, and the rights of man. They believed that sovereignty resided in the people, rather than in the government or the monarch, and that governments were created to serve the people and protect their rights.

The United States Constitution, which was drafted by the Founding Fathers in 1787, reflects these ideas. It established a federal system of government that divided power between the central government and the individual states, and created a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

In addition, the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, explicitly protects the individual rights of citizens and limits the power of the central government. The Ninth Amendment, for example, states that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.

Overall, the Founding Fathers viewed sovereignty as a fundamental principle of government, but they also recognized the importance of balancing that sovereignty with individual rights and the authority of the states. Their vision for a federal system of government with checks and balances remains a cornerstone of American democracy today.