Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution, which came into effect in 1789, has been amended 27 times since. The document was handwritten by Jacob Shallus and is considered the first permanent constitution. While the delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 are considered the authors of the Constitution, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Wilson are among those credited with being its primary authors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lead Author | Gouverneur Morris |
| Other Authors | James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, William Paterson, James Wilson, John Jay, George Mason |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Number of Delegates | 55 |
| Number of States Represented | 12 |
| State Absent | Rhode Island |
| Date | 1787 |
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What You'll Learn
- James Madison is widely regarded as the 'Father of the Constitution'
- Madison refused credit, stating it was a compilation of ideas
- George Washington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention
- Washington, Madison, and Alexander Hamilton feared the country was on the brink of collapse
- The final draft was presented on September 12, containing seven articles
James Madison is widely regarded as the 'Father of the Constitution'
James Madison is widely regarded as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison was a driving force behind the convention and the drafting of the Constitution. He came well prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government. After the Constitution had been written and signed, Madison wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. 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 10 amendments that were adopted by the first Congress.
Madison's extensive notes from the convention provide invaluable insights into the debates and compromises that took place. His Virginia Plan, which called for a strong central government, served as a foundation for the Constitution. Madison was one of only three delegates who did not sign the Constitution. However, his leadership and presence provided the convention with gravitas and credibility.
Although Madison is often credited as one of the primary authors of the Constitution, he was not the only individual who played an important role in crafting the document. The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 consisted of 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island abstained). Each of these men brought specific ideas about the role of government in the new nation, and parts of each individual's ideas were taken and put together to create the constitution.
Other key players at the convention included George Washington, who was unanimously elected president of the convention, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, and Roger Sherman. Sherman proposed the "Connecticut Compromise" or "Great Compromise", which stated that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives and by an equal number of votes in the Senate.
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Madison refused credit, stating it was a compilation of ideas
James Madison is often regarded as the "Father of the Constitution". He is credited with being the main author of the United States Constitution, which became operational in 1789 and has since been amended 27 times. Madison's ideas formed the basis for the Virginia Plan, which in turn became the basis for the Constitution. However, Madison himself refused to take sole credit for the Constitution, stating that it "ought to be regarded as the work of many heads and many hands".
Madison played a crucial role in the creation of the Constitution, advocating for the unification of thirteen independent states into a single nation. He was a leading theoretician for constitutional reform, and his ideas were instrumental in shaping the final document. Despite his significant contributions, Madison remained modest about his role, acknowledging that the Constitution was a collaborative effort.
Madison's legacy is closely tied to US constitutionalism and his influence extended beyond the creation of the Constitution. He is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights", as he strongly advocated for the inclusion of a bill of rights during the debates over ratification. Madison's correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, who was in Paris at the time, sheds light on their shared vision for the young nation.
In addition to his intellectual contributions, Madison also demonstrated leadership during his time as president. Although some have criticised his presidency, particularly his handling of the War of 1812, he exhibited a direct interest in prosecuting the war and refused to relinquish details to the Secretary of War, John Armstrong. Madison's legacy, like that of other Founding Fathers, is complicated by his complicity with slavery. While he considered slavery evil, he did little to extricate it from his life or the United States.
Overall, while Madison played a pivotal role in the creation of the Constitution and the nation itself, he remained humble about his contributions, recognising the collective effort that went into drafting this important document.
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George Washington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention
George Washington, former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, on May 14, 1787. The convention, which took place in the Pennsylvania State House (later renamed Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, was attended by 55 state delegates from 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send representatives.
The delegates, a mix of passionate Federalists and Anti-Federalists, were gathered to fiercely debate the future of the United States and revise the Articles of Confederation, which were seen as barely holding the new country together. Washington, one of the wealthiest men in the country, was not initially interested in being a part of politics, but it became clear that no one else could lead the convention.
During the four months of intense debate, Washington created an atmosphere that allowed convention members to reach the compromises necessary to create a new government. He stayed relatively quiet, refraining from expressing his opinions during the debates, and allowing the delegates to discuss the foundation of the Constitution among themselves. He believed that America should have a strong central government and a single executive leader, but he did not allow his bias to influence the other delegates. Washington mainly participated to keep order and provide a deciding vote on various proposals.
Washington's opinions about the plans and compromises of the Convention were the subject of much speculation. While Federalists readily used his image to support the ratification of the Constitution, the public was curious to know his thoughts on the proceedings. Washington, true to form, said or wrote little publicly. However, his private letters reveal that he supported the Constitution, and he praised the amendment provision, which provided a method to correct problems that might arise after its implementation.
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Washington, Madison, and Alexander Hamilton feared the country was on the brink of collapse
Just a few years after the Revolutionary War, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that their young country was on the brink of collapse. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, and couldn't print money. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young nation apart.
Alexander Hamilton helped convince Congress to organize a Grand Convention of state delegates to work on revising the Articles of Confederation. The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787. The delegates shuttered the windows of the State House and swore secrecy so they could speak freely.
The convention was without some of the country's major political leaders, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were abroad on foreign missions, and John Jay, who was in New York at the Foreign Office. Nevertheless, it was an impressive assemblage that included Madison and Washington, as well as Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, and Alexander Hamilton of New York.
General George Washington, who had been unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia convention, summed up the problems with the Articles of Confederation as "no money". The Articles gave little power to the central government, and while the Confederation Congress had some decision-making abilities, it lacked enforcement powers. The implementation of most decisions, including amendments to the Articles, required legislative approval by all 13 newly formed states.
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The final draft was presented on September 12, containing seven articles
The United States Constitution was drafted by a committee appointed by the Second Continental Congress in mid-June 1777 and was ratified by the 13 colonies on March 1, 1781. The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was the first constitution of the United States. The document was ineffective in providing a stable and efficient government, which led to economic turmoil, interstate disputes, and a general sense of instability.
In response to these issues, a Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia in 1787, with 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island abstained). The final draft of the Constitution, containing seven articles, was presented on September 12, 1787.
The Constitution has had a significant impact on the country's government and legal system. It outlines the rights of the states and citizens, defines the limits and authorities of the federal government, and divides power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power.
Several individuals played key roles in the creation of the Constitution, including James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and others. James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," was a driving force behind the convention and provided invaluable insights through his extensive notes. Alexander Hamilton, a delegate from New York, was a passionate advocate for a strong federal government and a key author of "The Federalist Papers." George Washington, unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention, provided a sense of focus and direction to the proceedings. Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, brought a wealth of experience as a printer, storekeeper, publisher, scientist, public official, philosopher, diplomat, and ladies' man.
Other notable contributors include Roger Sherman, who proposed the "Connecticut Compromise" or "Great Compromise," and William Paterson, who helped author the New Jersey Plan to safeguard the rights of small states. James Wilson advocated for a single executive with absolute veto power, while also favoring direct election by the people. These individuals, along with many others, shaped the Constitution through their ideas and contributions.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison is often referred to as the "father of the Constitution". Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, wrote the Federalist Papers to build public support for the Constitution.
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton are also credited with writing the US Constitution.
The US Constitution was created to establish a system of government that is fair, just, and protective of individual rights. It divides power among three branches of government – the executive, legislative, and judiciary – so that no one branch has too much power.
The US Constitution emerged as a response to the failures of the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States. The Articles proved to be insufficient in providing a stable and effective government, leading to economic turmoil, interstate disputes, and a general sense of instability.
The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia during a Constitutional Convention that took place in 1787.
