US Constitutional Convention 1787

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

• 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.

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.