Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The convention, which assembled at Independence Hall, was tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government. However, the delegates ultimately drafted a new constitution, creating a stronger central government and addressing the needs of the growing nation. The signing of the Constitution marked a significant step towards establishing a new form of government, but it would only come into effect once ratified by nine of the 13 states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Number of delegates signing | 39 |
| Number of delegates refusing to sign | 3 |
| Names of delegates refusing to sign | Gerry (MA), Randolph (VA), Mason (VA) |
| Names of states whose delegates signed | Pennsylvania (8), Delaware (2), New York (1), Virginia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Georgia |
Explore related products
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
39 delegates signed the US Constitution
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document they had created. This act concluded four months of intense debate and discussion, during which these men, representing 12 states, carefully considered how to form a more perfect union and establish a new system of government for their young nation.
The 39 signatories included some of the most prominent and influential figures of the time, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. These men came from diverse backgrounds and brought a range of perspectives to the table, but they were united by a common goal: to create a framework that would protect the freedoms and rights of the American people, while also providing a strong and effective national government.
The process of drafting the Constitution was a complex and often contentious one. The delegates debated many issues, including the balance of power between the states and the national government, the structure of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and the protection of individual liberties. Despite their differences, the 39 signatories were able to reach a consensus and create a document that has become the foundation of American democracy.
The signatures of these 39 men carry a great deal of significance. By affixing their names to the Constitution, they not only affirmed their agreement with its principles but also took on a responsibility to uphold and defend those principles. Their signatures also served as a call to action for the American people, inviting them to join in the project of building a nation based on the ideals of liberty, justice, and democracy.
Who Signed the Constitution? Alexander Martin's Signature Explained
You may want to see also
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia
The convention's initial mandate was to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government. However, the delegates soon began considering measures to replace the Articles, as they were deemed highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. The Articles' primary weakness was their failure to empower the central government to carry out essential functions, such as raising revenue or conducting diplomatic relations.
The delegates debated competing proposals, including the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, from May to July 1787. The Virginia Plan, drafted by delegate James Madison, called for a strong central government based on popular consent and proportional representation, with a bicameral legislature, a separate executive, and a judiciary branch with national jurisdiction. The New Jersey Plan, on the other hand, retained the essential features of the Articles, including a unicameral legislature with equal state representation and a supreme court of limited jurisdiction.
After months of intense debates and revisions, the delegates produced the document known as the Constitution, which established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting foreign relations. The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, and within three days, it was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation. The signing occurred after the proposal was agreed upon by eleven state delegations and the lone remaining delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton.
Paul Revere: A Founding Father and Constitution Signer?
You may want to see also
The Constitution was submitted to Congress three days after signing
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the constitution. The document was originally intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government. However, the delegates quickly began considering measures to replace the Articles, as they lacked the power to raise revenue or conduct diplomatic relations. The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, provided for the ratification of the Constitution by popularly elected ratifying conventions in each state.
The Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation, then sitting in New York City, just three days after its signing. At the time, New York City was the nation's temporary capital. The document was forwarded to the thirteen states for their ratification on September 28. The state legislatures were tasked with organizing "Federal Conventions" to ratify the document, bypassing the amendment provision of the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of all the states.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a process that began with the convening of the Federal Convention in 1787. The Congress had resolved that a convention of delegates be held in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. The convention debated competing proposals, such as the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, before turning over plans to a Grand Committee. The delegates ultimately produced a document that expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states.
The Constitution introduced a completely new form of government, superseding the Articles of Confederation as the nation's governing document. It established a federal government divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Constitution also provided for extradition between the states and laid down a legal basis for freedom of movement and travel among them.
The Constitution and Thomas Mifflin: A Signature Mystery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The document was ratified by nine of the 13 states
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates, including Alexander Hamilton from New York. The document was the result of a convention that began in May 1787, with the initial purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation. However, the convention ultimately led to the proposal and creation of a new form of government, with a stronger central government and proportional representation.
The process of ratification for the Constitution was outlined in Article VII, which stated that it required ratification by nine of the 13 states, or a two-thirds majority. This was a departure from the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval from all 13 states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
By June 1788, only eight of the 13 states had ratified the Constitution. The long and arduous journey to ratification saw opposition from some states, which argued that the Constitution did not provide adequate protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, these concerns were addressed through the Massachusetts Compromise, which led to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The remaining four states could then join the newly formed union by ratifying the Constitution. This process of ratification by a majority of states, rather than unanimous approval, was a significant departure from the previous requirements and set a precedent for future constitutional amendments.
John Locke's Influence on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
The signing followed an intensive debate
The signing of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787, followed an intensive four-month debate. The Federal Convention of 1787 was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which established the first national government. However, delegates to the convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, soon began considering more significant changes.
Edmund Randolph of Virginia offered the most comprehensive plan, known as the Virginia Plan, which called for an entirely new government with a strong central government based on popular consent and proportional representation. The Virginia Plan included a bicameral legislature, a separate executive, and a judiciary branch with national jurisdiction. This plan was supported by states with large populations, such as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and South Carolina. An alternative proposal, the New Jersey Plan, retained the essential features of the original Articles, including a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.
The convention debated these competing proposals for two months before turning them over to a Grand Committee, whose report, the Great Compromise, resolved many contentious points. After two more months of intense debates and revisions, the delegates produced the document known as the Constitution, which expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states.
The final day of the convention included an address by Benjamin Franklin, strongly endorsing the Constitution. Franklin proposed that the Constitution be endorsed by the delegates as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states present, and the formula "Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present..." was devised to achieve this. The signing ceremony took place on September 17, 1787, with 39 delegates signing the Constitution, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates).
The Day the US Constitution Was Signed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
39 delegates signed the Constitution.
12 of the 13 original states were represented. Rhode Island did not send any delegates.
The delegates met at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.
The signing aimed to establish a new form of government, replacing the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective.
