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Questions and Answers
What was the main reason for calling the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
What was the main reason for calling the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
Who presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
Who presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
What was the main proposal of the New Jersey Plan?
What was the main proposal of the New Jersey Plan?
What was the result of the Great Compromise?
What was the result of the Great Compromise?
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What was the purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
What was the purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
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How many articles are in the framework of the federal government?
How many articles are in the framework of the federal government?
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What is the purpose of the Preamble in the Constitution?
What is the purpose of the Preamble in the Constitution?
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What is the procedure for altering the Constitution?
What is the procedure for altering the Constitution?
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Study Notes
Constitutional Convention (1787)
Background
- The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, proved to be inadequate for governing the newly independent nation.
- The need for a stronger central government and a more effective system of governance led to the call for a constitutional convention.
Key Events
- May 25, 1787: The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with 74 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not attend).
- September 17, 1787: The convention adjourned after drafting the United States Constitution.
Delegates and Their Roles
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Key Founding Fathers:
- George Washington (president of the convention)
- James Madison (primary author of the Constitution)
- Benjamin Franklin (elder statesman and influential delegate)
- Alexander Hamilton (advocate for a strong central government)
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Other notable delegates:
- Thomas Jefferson (absent, but contributed to the Constitution's development)
- John Adams (absent, but played a role in the Constitution's ratification)
Constitutional Debates and Compromises
- Virginia Plan: Proposed a strong central government with three branches and representation based on population.
- New Jersey Plan: Advocated for a weaker central government with equal representation for each state.
- The Great Compromise: Combined elements of both plans, establishing a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation.
- Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
The Constitution's Framework
- Preamble: Introduced the Constitution's purpose and objectives.
- Seven Articles: Outlined the framework of the federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Amendment Process: Established a procedure for altering the Constitution.
Legacy of the Constitutional Convention
- The Constitution, ratified in 1788, has endured for over two centuries, serving as the foundation of the US government.
- The convention's debates and compromises shaped the course of American history, influencing the development of the country's political system and institutions.
Constitutional Convention (1787)
Background
- The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, were inadequate for governing the newly independent nation, leading to the call for a constitutional convention.
Key Events
- The Constitutional Convention convened on May 25, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with 74 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not attend).
- The convention adjourned on September 17, 1787, after drafting the United States Constitution.
Delegates and Their Roles
- Key Founding Fathers:
- George Washington, president of the convention
- James Madison, primary author of the Constitution
- Benjamin Franklin, elder statesman and influential delegate
- Alexander Hamilton, advocate for a strong central government
- Other notable delegates:
- Thomas Jefferson, absent but contributed to the Constitution's development
- John Adams, absent but played a role in the Constitution's ratification
Constitutional Debates and Compromises
- Virginia Plan: Proposed a strong central government with three branches and representation based on population.
- New Jersey Plan: Advocated for a weaker central government with equal representation for each state.
- The Great Compromise: Combined elements of both plans, establishing a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation.
- Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
The Constitution's Framework
- Preamble: Introduced the Constitution's purpose and objectives.
- Seven Articles: Outlined the framework of the federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Amendment Process: Established a procedure for altering the Constitution.
Legacy of the Constitutional Convention
- The Constitution, ratified in 1788, has endured for over two centuries, serving as the foundation of the US government.
- The convention's debates and compromises shaped the course of American history, influencing the development of the country's political system and institutions.
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Description
Learn about the key events and background of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which led to the creation of a stronger central government in the United States.
