The Constitution's Founding Fathers: A Collaborative Effort

The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, was signed by 39 delegates, although 55 delegates from 12 states attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The convention was initially meant to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates ultimately decided to create a new government. George Washington, James Madison, James Wilson, and Benjamin Franklin were among the key players in the creation of the Constitution.

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The 70 individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention

The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. However, a number of these individuals did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. As a result, only 55 delegates attended the sessions, and just 39 signed the Constitution.

The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. George Washington was elected unanimously as the president of the convention, despite his initial reluctance to be involved. His presence provided a sense of focus and direction, and he was able to help oversee the debate and guide the vision for a stronger union.

Other key players included James Madison Jr., known as the "father of the Constitution", who was a driving force behind the convention and later wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Although he did not sign the Constitution, George Mason played a unique role in its creation, as his desire to have the freedoms and rights of citizens explicitly stated led to the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. Roger Sherman also made a significant contribution with the "Connecticut Compromise", which proposed that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives and by an equal number of votes in the Senate.

Several other individuals made notable contributions to the Constitutional Convention. James Wilson, for instance, desired a single executive with absolute veto power, rather than a committee. Nathaniel Gorham suggested a compromise for Senate appointments, while Luther Martin supported them due to his belief that senators would defend the interests of individual states. William Paterson, who left the convention in late July, returned in September to sign the Constitution when aspects of his proposal for equal representation for small states were included in the Connecticut Compromise.

The 55 delegates who attended the convention

The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

The delegates had been tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. However, by mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government, creating a powerful central government. The delegates, who represented wildly different interests and views, crafted compromises to address contentious issues such as congressional representation and slavery.

George Washington, who had originally not wanted to be involved with the creation of the Constitution, was unanimously elected president of the convention. His presence provided a sense of focus and direction, and he was able to help oversee the debate and ensure that his vision for a stronger union became a reality.

Other key players at the convention included James Madison, known as the "father of the Constitution"; Roger Sherman, who proposed the "Connecticut Compromise"; James Wilson, who desired a single executive with absolute veto power; and Alexander Hamilton, a powerful political figure who, along with Madison, wrote the Federalist Papers to explain the significance of the Constitution.

The 39 individuals who signed the Constitution

The US Constitution, which lays out the framework for the nation's federal government, was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states. The signing took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 39 signatures endorsed the Constitution, which was created during the four-month-long convention. The delegates also included a brief declaration stating that their work had been successfully completed and that they subscribed to the final document.

Several key players are worth noting among the 39 signers. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer, delivered an address endorsing the Constitution despite its imperfections. James Madison, known as the "father of the Constitution," was a driving force behind the convention and later wrote the Federalist Papers to explain the significance of the Constitution and persuade states to ratify it. Roger Sherman is credited with proposing the "Connecticut Compromise" or "Great Compromise," which addressed the issue of proportional representation in Congress.

Other notable signers include Gunning Bedford, Jr., a lawyer who transitioned into politics after the American Revolution and stirred controversy with his statements about smaller states seeking allegiance with other countries if the Constitution failed to protect them. George Read, another lawyer and politician, strongly advocated for the protection of smaller states. John Dickinson, a supporter of a strong central government, was unable to sign due to illness but authorized George Read to sign on his behalf. These individuals, along with the other 34 delegates, played a significant role in shaping the Constitution and the future of the United States.

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The key players, including George Washington and James Madison

The US Constitution, the supreme law of the United States, superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789. The Constitution was penned by 55 delegates, though only 39 signed it. The delegates were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island.

George Washington and James Madison were key players in the composition of the US Constitution. Washington was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention. Although he did not originally want to be involved in the creation of the Constitution, his presence provided a sense of focus and direction. He oversaw the debate and helped realise his vision of a stronger union.

Madison, known as the "father of the Constitution", was a driving force behind the convention. He was well-prepared for arguments against the creation of a new government. After the Constitution was written and signed, Madison wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. These 85 essays explained the significance of the Constitution to persuade states to ratify it. Madison also contributed to the Constitution by writing the first 10 amendments, which were adopted by the first Congress.

Other key players in the composition of the Constitution include Founding Father James Wilson, who served as a Supreme Court Justice and desired a single executive, not a committee. This individual would have absolute veto power to overturn laws created by the legislature. Wilson also favoured the direct election of the executive by the people. Roger Sherman is credited with one of the core staples of the American government—the Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise. This compromise proposed that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives and by an equal number of votes in the Senate.

The influence of British political philosopher John Locke

I assume that you are referring to the Constitution of the United States. In 1787, 38 delegates signed the US Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.

Now, here is some information on the influence of British political philosopher John Locke on the US Constitution:

John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. He is recognised as the founder of British empiricism and the author of the first systematic exposition and defence of political liberalism. Locke's philosophy inspired and reflected Enlightenment values, including the recognition of the rights and equality of individuals, criticism of arbitrary authority (e.g. the divine right of kings), advocacy of religious tolerance, and a scientific temperament. Locke's political theory directly influenced the US Declaration of Independence, which, in turn, influenced the US Constitution. Locke's ideas on natural law and natural rights were central to his political philosophy. He argued that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that exist independently of the laws of any particular society. This notion of natural rights was tied to his concept of the state and its constitution. Locke also advocated for a separation of powers, which was reflected in the form of government established in the US Constitution.

Locke's writings influenced Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as American revolutionaries. His ideas on religious tolerance were influenced by Baptist theologians like John Smyth and Thomas Helwys, who advocated for freedom of conscience. Locke's views on the separation of church and state were also shaped by Roger Williams, who founded the colony of Rhode Island, where he combined a democratic constitution with unlimited religious freedom. Locke's political-legal principles continue to influence the theory and practice of limited representative government and the protection of basic rights and freedoms.

Locke's early political work, "Two Tracts on Government" (composed in 1660 but published in 1967), defended a conservative position, arguing that governments could legislate on matters of religion to maintain political stability. However, in his later work, "Two Treatises of Government" (1689), he took a different stance, defending the claim that people are naturally free and equal, contrary to the belief that God had made people naturally subject to a monarch. Locke's "Two Treatises" gained a new readership with the rise of American resistance to British taxation, and it was frequently cited in debates leading up to the American Revolution. One passage from the Second Treatise, referring to a "long train of abuses", was reproduced verbatim in the Declaration of Independence.

Locke's medical studies under Thomas Sydenham also influenced his philosophical thinking. His role as Secretary of the Board of Trade and Plantations and Secretary to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina shaped his ideas on international trade and economics. Additionally, Ashley, a founder of the Whig movement, had a significant influence on Locke's political ideas.

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