Who Were The Delegates At The Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was attended by 55 delegates, though sources suggest that 70 individuals were appointed to the convention and one source states 73. The delegates were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, and ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. The convention was initially intended to revise the existing system of government but ultimately produced the first written constitution for any nation in the history of the world.

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55 delegates attended the convention, but only 39 signed the Constitution

The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was attended by 55 delegates. However, only 39 of them signed the Constitution.

The delegates were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, which refused to send any delegates. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity. The average age of the delegates was 42, and they brought a range of educational backgrounds and political experiences to the Convention.

The Convention was initially intended to revise the Articles of Confederation and address issues such as taxation of exports and legislation concerning foreign commerce. However, the delegates ultimately ended up creating a new system of government rather than revising the existing one. The final report of the committee, known as the "committee of style," became the first draft of the Constitution.

Several key players had significant contributions to the creation of the Constitution. James Madison, known as the "father of the Constitution," came prepared with arguments against the creation of a new government and wrote the first ten amendments. George Mason advocated for a bill of rights but was one of only three delegates who did not sign the Constitution due to concerns about the power given to the federal government and the lack of action on the slave trade. Other notable delegates included James Wilson, who favoured a single executive with absolute veto power, and William Paterson, who left the convention but returned to sign the Constitution when aspects of his proposal were included in the Connecticut compromise.

The average age of the delegates was 42, ranging from 26 to 81

The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was attended by 55 delegates. These delegates ranged in age from 26 to 81, with an average age of 42. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest delegate at 26, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest. Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair, summed up the nearly four months of debate, disagreement, and occasional outbursts of ill temper that marked the proceedings of that summer.

The convention, which was initially intended to revise the league of states and devise the first system of federal government under the Articles of Confederation, ended up creating a new form of government. The delegates, who were both young and experienced, brought specific ideas about the role of government in the new nation. The average age of 42 meant that the delegates had a mix of energy and experience, with four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—being in their thirties.

The convention was a remarkable gathering of individuals who, despite their differences in age and background, shared a revolutionary spirit and a vision for a stronger union. They worked together, compromising and reaching agreements, to create a government of limited powers while also giving it the requisite "energy" to fulfil its promises. The final product, the Constitution of the United States, was a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication and compromise of the delegates.

Rhode Island did not send any delegates

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history, with 55 delegates in attendance, representing all original states except Rhode Island. Rhode Island was the only state that refused to send delegates to the convention, a decision that earned it the nickname "Rogue Island." This decision was rooted in Rhode Island's concerns about the central government's power and the potential illegality of its state-issued paper money under a new constitution.

Rhode Island's absence from the Constitutional Convention symbolised its resistance to the shift in governance. The state had become a target of criticism for its rampant inflation caused by excessive printing of paper currency, which reached 100,000 pounds in a single month. This prompted calls for a new Constitution to ban such practices, which Rhode Island vehemently opposed. The state's non-participation in the convention reflected its commitment to the principles of the old Confederation and its reluctance to embrace the changes proposed by the emerging federal government.

Rhode Island's unique stance had significant implications for the state's relationship with the rest of the nation. Its absence from the convention isolated it politically and economically, with American newspapers bestowing upon it unflattering nicknames like "the perverse sister," "an evil genius," and the infamous "Quintessence of Villainy." Rhode Island's resistance to the Constitution persisted even after the convention. Between September 1787 and January 1790, the state's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the document, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to its principles.

The state's eventual ratification of the Constitution in 1790 came about due to external pressures and internal divisions. Secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, along with the fear of reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, forced Rhode Island to convene a convention. Additionally, merchants in the state became "zealous advocates" for the new Constitution, worried about the impact of import taxes on their businesses. Despite its initial defiance, Rhode Island ultimately played a crucial role in advancing the Constitution it once staunchly opposed, becoming the last state to ratify it on May 29, 1790.

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James Madison was a driving force behind the convention

James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Madison was a driving force behind the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly. He was dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation and helped organize the convention.

Madison came to the convention well-prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government. He was a strong advocate for the rights of happiness and civil and political liberty. He also kept detailed notes during the convention, capturing the main points discussed each day. These notes were later published and provided valuable insights into the debates and decision-making process behind the creation of the Constitution.

After the Constitution was written and signed, Madison collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write the Federalist Papers. These 85 essays explained the significance of the Constitution and aimed to persuade states to ratify it. Madison also contributed to the Constitution by writing the first ten amendments, which were adopted by the first Congress.

In addition to his intellectual contributions, Madison's presence and influence during the convention were significant. He was elected unanimously as the president of the Constitutional Convention, providing a sense of focus and direction to the delegates. His reputation and leadership helped guide the intense debates and discussions that ultimately led to the creation of the Constitution.

Overall, James Madison's contributions to the Constitutional Convention were instrumental in shaping the course of American government and establishing the foundation for the nation's governing document. His ideas, preparation, and leadership played a pivotal role in the creation and adoption of the United States Constitution.

The convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787

The Constitutional Convention, one of the most significant events in American history, took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was initially intended to revise the existing league of states and devise a federal system of government under the Articles of Confederation. However, proponents of the convention, including James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, sought to create an entirely new system of government.

The convention was attended by 55 delegates, who came together to make small changes to their current government. The delegates were both young and experienced, with an average age of 42. The youngest delegate was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity. The delegates represented the 13 "united States", which at the time seemed remarkably disunited.

The convention lasted for about four months, during which there were intense debates, disagreements, and occasional outbursts of ill temper. The delegates had diverse ideas about the role of government in the new nation, and parts of each individual's ideas were incorporated into the final Constitution. The delegates' primary goal was to create a government with limited powers, as outlined in the Constitution's preamble, while also giving it the requisite "energy" to fulfil its promises.

The final report of the committee, known as Madison's Virginia Plan, served as the first draft of the Constitution. The delegates continued to meet and discuss this draft, making relatively minor refinements. On September 12, the final version was compared with the proceedings of the convention, and the Constitution was engrossed on September 15. The delegates made their decisions about signing the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and only 39 of the 55 delegates ultimately signed it.

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