Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution, drafted in 1787, is one of the world's greatest political documents and the result of the combined efforts of 55 delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. The delegates gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were seen as inadequate in addressing the disputes between states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. However, the convention ultimately produced a new constitution, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 38 |
| Total number of signatures | 39 |
| Date the Constitution was signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who gathered in Philadelphia to draft the Constitution | 55 |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's election as president of the convention
Washington's election as president of the convention was a pivotal moment. He was chosen to lead the convention due to his reputation and leadership qualities. Despite his initial reluctance to attend, Washington ultimately agreed, recognising the importance of a strong central government and the need to address the issues facing the country. Washington's presence gave the convention legitimacy and set the tone for the proceedings.
Washington played a crucial role in guiding the convention and fostering an atmosphere that encouraged compromise. He worked to forge consensus among the delegates, who held diverse views and represented different interests. The convention witnessed passionate debates between federalists and anti-federalists, and Washington's leadership was instrumental in navigating these conflicts. He remained relatively quiet during the debates, allowing delegates to express their ideas freely.
Washington's commitment to the process was evident, as he was one of the few delegates to arrive on time for the convention. He participated in private meetings with delegates from Virginia and Pennsylvania, where they laid the groundwork for what became known as the Virginia Plan. Washington's support for this plan, presented by Virginia governor Edmund Randolph, indicated his desire for a more ambitious outcome than merely amending the Articles of Confederation.
Washington's election as president of the convention was a unanimous decision that underscored the respect and confidence the delegates had in his abilities. His presence and leadership were crucial in uniting the delegates behind the idea of a new federal government. Washington's contribution to the convention extended beyond his role as president, as he actively participated in discussions and provided a deciding vote on various proposals. His commanding presence and commitment to serving the convention ultimately guided the delegates towards the creation of one of the world's most influential political documents, the United States Constitution.
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The Committee of Detail
In 1787, delegates from across the states gathered in Philadelphia to draft a new constitution for the United States of America. General George Washington, who had been unanimously elected president of the convention, feared, along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, that their young country was on the brink of collapse. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, had no enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money, leading to disputes that threatened to tear the country apart.
The delegates decided to appoint a Committee of Detail to draw up a draft constitution. Nathaniel Gorham of Massachusetts, John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, James Wilson, and Oliver Ellsworth were selected to serve on the committee. The other delegates then adjourned for a 10-day vacation, giving the Committee of Detail time to prepare the first draft.
During this period, Washington and another delegate, Gouverneur Morris, rode out to the Valley Forge encampment, where Washington's troops had suffered during the American Revolution a decade earlier. This trip likely provided Washington with a moment of reflection on the past and the future of the young nation.
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Washington's leadership
George Washington's leadership was instrumental in drafting Washington's Constitution. Washington was initially reluctant to get involved in politics and attend the Constitutional Convention, but he was eventually convinced to lead Virginia's delegation. He was unanimously elected president of the convention, a decision that lent the gathering legitimacy and importance.
Washington's primary role during the convention was to maintain order and provide a deciding vote when necessary. He successfully guided the convention to its historic conclusion, uniting the delegates and the new nation behind the idea of a new federal government. Washington's presence and commanding presence were crucial in achieving this outcome. He demanded complete secrecy as the delegates embarked on the controversial task of scrapping the Articles of Confederation and creating a new constitution.
In conclusion, Washington's leadership during the drafting of Washington's Constitution was marked by his ability to unite delegates, maintain order, and guide the process towards a successful conclusion. His presence, commitment, and consensus-building skills were crucial in shaping the course of history and producing one of the world's greatest political documents.
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![Preliminary statement, list of delegates to convention, held in Washington, D.C., May 22, 1888, proceedings of the convention, constitution and by-laws adopted. 1888 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qaVm0pKML._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Virginia Plan
The first resolution of the Virginia Plan called for the enlargement and correction of the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states but lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The second resolution suggested that the population count for determining representation in government be based on either "quotas of contribution" (a state's wealth and taxes) or the number of free inhabitants, excluding the population of enslaved people.
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The signing of the Constitution
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was convened to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money, leading to disputes among the states. The delegates, passionate federalists and anti-federalists, unanimously elected General George Washington as the convention president. Washington, despite his initial reluctance to participate, played a crucial role in guiding the convention and fostering consensus among the delegates.
The process of drafting the Constitution began with a series of meetings between delegates from Virginia and Pennsylvania before the formal start of the convention. These meetings, hosted by Benjamin Franklin, laid the groundwork for a more ambitious agenda than merely amending the Articles of Confederation. James Madison, James Wilson, and Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania provided significant intellectual leadership during these preliminary discussions.
During the convention, Washington maintained a relatively neutral stance, allowing delegates to debate the foundation of the Constitution freely. He believed in the need for a strong central government and a single executive leader but refrained from imposing his views on others. Washington's commanding presence and leadership were instrumental in uniting the delegates behind the idea of a new federal government.
The final document, consisting of four parchment pages, represented a completely new government structure. The delegates, representing diverse interests and views, crafted compromises to create a powerful central government while remaining loyal to their respective states. The Constitution set the terms for its own ratification, bypassing state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by nine of the thirteen states enacted the new government.
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Frequently asked questions
Fifty-five delegates gathered in Philadelphia in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House to draft the four parchment pages of the original Constitution.
Some of the key delegates included George Washington, James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Edmund Randolph.
The convention was called to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation, which were seen as barely holding the new country together.
The delegates gathered between May 25 and September 17, 1787.
The delegates produced the first written constitution for any nation in the history of the world, creating a powerful central government.
