Eleanor Finch
Roger Sherman was a significant figure in shaping the United States Constitution during the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787. He is the only person to have signed 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 United States Constitution. Sherman proposed what is known as the Great Compromise, also referred to as the Connecticut Compromise, which was a solution to the contentious issue of congressional representation. This compromise is often considered one of the foundational moments of the Constitutional Convention, demonstrating the importance of negotiation and collaboration in the creation of the United States' legal framework.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role at the Constitutional Convention | Proposed the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, which was a solution to the contentious issue of congressional representation. |
| Position on State Representation | Promoted a bicameral legislature using a dual system of representation, where each state would receive a certain number of House of Representatives seats based on its population, and there would be an equal number of seats for each state in the Senate. |
| Influence on the Convention | Was one of the most active members, making motions or seconds 160 times. Madison's notes on the convention credit him with 138 speeches. |
| Views on the National Government | Believed that the national government needed a way to raise revenue and regulate commerce. |
| Personal Characteristics | Known for his sensibility and control over his emotions, with Thomas Jefferson describing him as "a man who never said a foolish thing in his life." |
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What You'll Learn
- Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise
- He was a vocal supporter of Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts
- Sherman was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence
- He was a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the US Constitution
- Sherman was a member of the committee of 13 that was responsible for preparing a draft constitution
Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise
Roger Sherman was a significant figure in shaping the United States Constitution during the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. He is one of the most influential members of the convention, despite being a “terse, ineloquent speaker" who never kept a personal record of his experience.
Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, which was a solution to the contentious issue of congressional representation. The Compromise addressed the differing views between delegates from larger states and smaller states. Larger states favoured the Virginia Plan, which proposed representation based on population, while smaller states preferred the New Jersey Plan, which called for equal representation.
To resolve this issue, Sherman suggested creating a bicameral legislature, which would consist of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives would have a variable number of seats for each state based on its population, while the Senate would provide equal representation for each state. This arrangement is commonplace today but was a novel concept at the time.
The Great Compromise is considered one of the foundational moments of the Constitutional Convention, demonstrating the importance of negotiation and collaboration in forming the United States' legal framework. It helped prevent a deadlock at the convention and established the basis of the present system of federal government.
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He was a vocal supporter of Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts
Roger Sherman was an influential member of the Constitutional Convention, despite not being well-known for his actions there due to his ineloquent speaking style and lack of personal record-keeping. However, he was a critical opponent of James Madison and played a crucial role in preventing a deadlock at the convention. Sherman's proposal for a bicameral national legislature, where states would be represented equally, was rejected in favour of a unicameral legislature. Nevertheless, his ideas laid the foundation for the present system of federal government.
Following the ratification of the Constitution, Sherman served in Congress and supported Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of state debts. Hamilton, the first Treasury Secretary, aimed to address the nation's finances by consolidating the debts of the Continental Congress and individual states into a single public debt. This two-part strategy, outlined in his Report on Public Credit, was submitted to Congress in January 1790. Hamilton proposed funding the debt through a gradual schedule of dependable tax resources, assuming state debts, and generating new revenue through western land sales and taxes on luxuries.
Sherman's support for Hamilton's proposal was aligned with his belief in the need for the national government to raise revenue and regulate commerce. His views were shaped by Connecticut's isolationist stance and his personal Puritan beliefs. As a result of his influence, Sherman served in various political roles, including as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence and helped draft the Articles of Confederation.
Sherman's impact extended beyond his vocal support for Hamilton's proposal. He was the only person to sign all four great state papers of the United States: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. His legal and political career, despite a lack of formal education, showcases his dedication to the nation's founding and stability. Sherman's early career as a shoemaker and his move to Connecticut in 1743 marked a turning point, as he soon rose to prominence in the community and was admitted to the bar in 1754.
In conclusion, Roger Sherman's influence on the creation of the Constitution was significant, and his support for Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of state debts demonstrates his commitment to ensuring the nation's financial stability and the effectiveness of its governing systems.
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Sherman was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence
Roger Sherman was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Sherman was a Founding Father of the United States, and the only person to sign all four great state papers: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.
Sherman was a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the United States Constitution. He was also a member of the committee of 13 that was responsible for preparing a draft constitution for the new nation. During the debate, Sherman proposed a bicameral national legislature where states would be represented equally. This proposal was rejected by the committee of 13, which adopted a unicameral legislature and the Articles of Confederation.
Sherman was a critical opponent of James Madison and the more populous states at the Constitutional Convention. He is known for his proposal of the Connecticut (or Great) Compromise, which provided for a bicameral legislature using a dual system of representation. This compromise was a solution to the contentious issue of congressional representation, with larger states advocating for representation based on population, and smaller states desiring equal representation regardless of size. Sherman's plan helped save the convention from disintegrating and established the basis of the present system of federal government.
Sherman's views were heavily shaped by Connecticut's position as an isolationist state. He believed that the national government needed a way to raise revenue and regulate commerce. He also supported Alexander Hamilton's proposal for federal assumption of states' debts.
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He was a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the US Constitution
Roger Sherman was a delegate at the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the United States Constitution. He was one of the most active and vocal members of the convention, making motions or seconds 160 times.
Sherman was a critical opponent of James Madison and the more populous states. He ardently defended the rights of the smaller states, promoting what became known as the Connecticut (or Great) Compromise. This provided for a bicameral legislature using a dual system of representation. In this system, each state would receive a certain number of House of Representatives seats based on its population, but each state would be equally represented in the Senate. This compromise was a foundational moment of the convention, demonstrating the importance of negotiation and collaboration in the creation of the United States' legal framework. It helped save the convention from disintegrating and established the basis of the present system of federal government.
Sherman was also a member of the committee of 13 that was responsible for preparing a draft constitution for the new nation. During the debate, he proposed a bicameral national legislature where states would be represented equally. However, the committee of 13 rejected his proposal, adopting a unicameral legislature and the Articles of Confederation.
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Sherman was a member of the committee of 13 that was responsible for preparing a draft constitution
Roger Sherman was a significant figure in shaping the United States Constitution. He is the only person to have signed 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 United States Constitution.
Sherman's proposal for a bicameral national legislature was known as the Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise. This compromise was a solution to the contentious issue of congressional representation. The Compromise meant that the legislative branch of the government would have two houses: the House of Representatives, with representation based on the population of each state, and the Senate, with equal representation for each state. This ensured that both populous and less populous states had a voice in the federal government.
Sherman's views were heavily shaped by Connecticut's position as an isolationist state. Connecticut operated with little need for other states, using its own ports to trade with the West Indies. Sherman's personal beliefs and Puritan views also influenced his views. He was a staunch conservative and opposed to extremism, but he supported American independence from Britain.
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Frequently asked questions
Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. This was a solution to the contentious issue of congressional representation, establishing a dual system of representation.
The Great Compromise was a solution to the differing views between delegates from larger and smaller states. The larger states favoured the Virginia Plan, which proposed representation based on population, while the smaller states preferred the New Jersey Plan, which called for equal representation.
The Compromise created a bicameral legislature, meaning the legislative branch of the government would have two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives would be based on a state's population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate.
Roger 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 United States Constitution.
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