Omar Bennett
Roger Sherman was a key figure in the creation of the United States Constitution, being the only person to sign all four of the most significant documents in the nation's early history: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution. Sherman was a delegate from Connecticut at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he played a crucial role in preventing a deadlock between large and small states regarding representation in the legislative branch. He proposed the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature, with the Senate granting equal representation to each state and the House of Representatives being based on population. This compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, saved the convention from collapse and laid the foundation for the present system of federal government in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Representation of large and small states | Prevented a deadlock at the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787 |
| Signatory of significant documents | Signed all four of the most significant documents in early U.S. history: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution |
| Connecticut Compromise | Proposed a bicameral legislature, with the Senate granting equal representation to each state and the House of Representatives being apportioned based on population |
| Support for Alexander Hamilton's proposal | Supported the federal assumption of states' debts and the establishment of a national bank |
| Amending the Articles of Confederation | Argued that amending the Articles was in the best interest of the people and the most probable way for them to accept changes to a constitution |
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What You'll Learn
- Roger Sherman is the only person to have signed all four of the US' significant state papers
- He was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention, contributing to the Great Compromise
- Sherman promoted a bicameral national legislature, with equal state representation in the Senate
- He was a vocal supporter of Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts
- Sherman's views were shaped by Connecticut's isolationist stance
Roger Sherman is the only person to have signed all four of the US' significant state papers
Roger Sherman, born on April 19, 1721, in Newton, Massachusetts, is the only person to have signed all four of the most significant US state papers. Sherman's early life was spent as a shoemaker and cordwainer (leatherworker). However, he had a passion for learning and was self-educated through his father's library and the guidance of a Harvard-educated minister, Reverend Samuel Dunbar. This thirst for knowledge led him to become a surveyor and pursue a career in law, passing the bar in 1754.
Sherman's political career began in Connecticut, where he held various public offices, including several terms in the Connecticut legislature between 1755 and 1766. He was a justice of the peace, a county judge, and an associate judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. In 1784, he was elected the first mayor of New Haven. He also served as a representative in both houses of the colonial assembly and was a longtime member of the Continental Congress.
As a member of the First Continental Congress, Sherman signed the Continental Association, imposing an economic boycott on British trade. In the Second Continental Congress, he was part of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Sherman also signed the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, and played a crucial role in shaping the final United States Constitution.
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Sherman proposed the "Great Compromise," also known as the Connecticut Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature. This compromise balanced representation between states, ensuring equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives based on population. This solution averted a potential deadlock between large and small states and formed the basis of the present system of federal government.
Roger Sherman's contributions to the US Constitution and his unique distinction of signing all four significant state papers solidify his place as a Founding Father and a key figure in the nation's early history.
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He was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention, contributing to the Great Compromise
Roger Sherman was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention, contributing significantly to the "Great Compromise". Born in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1721, Sherman moved to Connecticut in 1743, where he embarked on a distinguished political and judicial career. Despite lacking formal education, he became a surveyor, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1754. He held various public offices, serving in the Connecticut legislature and as a justice of the peace before becoming an associate judge of the Connecticut Superior Court.
Sherman played a crucial role at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, where he proposed the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise. This compromise addressed the contentious issue of representation in the legislative branch, reconciling the interests of small and large states. The compromise established a bicameral legislature, with the Senate granting equal representation to each state and the House of Representatives being apportioned based on population.
Sherman's proposal prevented a deadlock at the convention and satisfied the concerns of both smaller and larger states. It is considered one of his greatest services, as it saved the convention from disintegrating and laid the foundation for the present system of federal government in the United States. Sherman's contribution demonstrated his skill as a politician and delegate from Connecticut, and his ability to find a balanced solution that protected the interests of all states.
After the Constitutional Convention, Sherman continued his public service. He served in the Connecticut legislature and as a judge before being elected to represent Connecticut in the United States House of Representatives from 1789 to 1791. He then served in the United States Senate from 1791 until his death in 1793. Sherman is the only person to have signed all four of the most significant documents in early American history: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution.
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Sherman promoted a bicameral national legislature, with equal state representation in the Senate
Roger Sherman was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he played a crucial role in shaping the country's new constitution. Recognizing the challenge of reconciling the interests of small and large states regarding representation in the legislative branch, Sherman proposed the "Great Compromise", also known as the Connecticut Compromise.
The Connecticut Compromise created a bicameral legislature, or a legislature with two houses. In this system, the Senate would grant equal representation to each state, while the House of Representatives would be apportioned based on population. This compromise successfully balanced the representation between states, satisfying the smaller states seeking to protect their influence and the larger states desiring proportional representation.
Sherman's proposal for a bicameral national legislature with equal state representation in the Senate was a significant contribution to the formation of the United States government. It addressed the deadlock between larger states advocating for congressional representation based on population and smaller states seeking equal representation regardless of size. By ensuring that each state had an equal voice in the Senate, Sherman's proposal protected the interests of smaller states and promoted fairness in the legislative process.
The Connecticut Compromise demonstrated Sherman's skill as a politician and negotiator. His proposal was instrumental in preventing the collapse of the Constitutional Convention and established the basis of the present system of federal government in the United States. Sherman's work in this regard showcased his dedication to finding a solution that considered the needs and concerns of all states, regardless of their size or population.
Sherman's contribution to the Constitution extended beyond his work on the Connecticut Compromise. He was the only person to sign all four of the most significant documents in the early history of the United States: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution itself. He also served in various political and judicial roles, including as a representative and senator under the Constitution he helped create, demonstrating his enduring commitment to public service.
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He was a vocal supporter of Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts
Roger Sherman was an early American politician, lawyer, and Founding Father of the United States. He is the only person to have signed all four of the most significant documents in the early history of the nation: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. Sherman was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention, contributing to the "Great Compromise" that established the bicameral structure of the US Congress, balancing representation between states with the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Sherman was a vocal supporter of Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts. He served in Congress under the new Constitution, first as a representative from 1789 to 1791 and then as a senator from 1791 until his death in 1793. During this time, he supported Hamilton's program for assumption of state debts, the establishment of a national bank, and the enactment of a tariff. Sherman recognised the challenge of reconciling the interests of small and large states regarding representation in the legislative branch. His proposal for a bicameral legislature, with the Senate granting equal representation to each state and the House of Representatives being apportioned based on population, managed to satisfy both smaller and larger states.
Sherman's support for Hamilton's proposal was influenced by his experience as a politician and lawyer, as well as his belief in the need for a strong national government. He understood the importance of a stable economy and the role of the federal government in regulating commerce. As a longtime and influential member of the Continental Congress, he had signed the Continental Association to impose an economic boycott on all British trade, demonstrating his commitment to economic stability and his opposition to British rule.
Sherman's legal career began in Litchfield County, Connecticut, despite his lack of formal education. He served as a justice of the Superior Court of Connecticut from 1766 to 1789 and represented Connecticut at the Continental Congress. In addition to his legal and political careers, Sherman was also a surveyor, a merchant, and a publisher of almanacs. He held numerous public offices and served several terms in the Connecticut legislature between 1755 and 1766.
Sherman's vocal support for Hamilton's proposal played a crucial role in its acceptance and implementation. His influence as a respected Founding Father and his experience in law and politics gave weight to his arguments. By serving in Congress and supporting Hamilton's proposal, Sherman once again demonstrated his dedication to public service and the development of the nation's economic and political systems.
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Sherman's views were shaped by Connecticut's isolationist stance
Roger Sherman was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he played a crucial role in shaping the country's new constitution. Sherman is the only person to have signed all four of the most significant documents in US history: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution.
Sherman's views were heavily influenced by Connecticut's position as an isolationist state. Connecticut operated with little dependence on other states, using its ports to trade with the West Indies instead of those in Boston. This reflected a desire for autonomy and a belief that the federal government should not be directly elected by the people, as they "lacked sufficient wisdom to govern themselves". As such, Sherman's proposal for a bicameral legislature reflected this isolationist stance, with the Senate granting equal representation to each state, while the House of Representatives was apportioned based on population.
Sherman's plan, known as the Connecticut or Great Compromise, prevented a deadlock at the Constitutional Convention between larger states advocating for representation based on population and smaller states seeking equal representation. By adopting a dual system of representation, Sherman's proposal satisfied both sides and established the basis of the present system of federal government.
In addition to his role in the Connecticut Compromise, Sherman also contributed to other aspects of the Constitution. He served on committees that drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, and he was a vocal supporter of Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts.
Sherman's early life and career also shaped his views and contributions to the Constitution. Despite a lack of formal education beyond grammar school, Sherman had a strong aptitude for learning and accessed his father's library and a Harvard-educated parish minister, Rev. Samuel Dunbar. He worked as a shoemaker and surveyor before establishing a legal career in Litchfield County, Connecticut. He held various public offices in Connecticut, including serving as a justice of the peace, county judge, and representative in both houses of the colonial assembly. These experiences likely influenced his understanding of governance and the needs of different states, further shaping his views on the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Roger Sherman was a surveyor and a cordwainer (shoemaker).
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was Roger Sherman's proposal for a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives being based on a state's population and each state having equal representation in the Senate.
Roger Sherman was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Roger Sherman believed that amending the Articles of Confederation was in the best interest of the people and that it was the most probable way for people to accept changes to the constitution. He argued that the national government needed a way to raise revenue and regulate commerce.
