Malcolm Rivera
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and saw delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not send delegates) meet to revise the Articles of Confederation. The convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, and the delegates agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy, with windows nailed shut to keep the proceedings private. The convention lasted three months, from May to September 1787, and resulted in the creation of a new federal government with more specific powers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 25, 1787 |
| Location | Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia |
| Attendees | Delegates representing every state except Rhode Island |
| Agenda | To address the problems of the weak central government and revise the Articles of Confederation |
| Secrecy | Discussions and votes were kept secret, and windows were nailed shut to prevent anyone from hearing |
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What You'll Learn
The windows of the meeting hall were nailed shut
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, the Federal Convention, or the Grand Convention, took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was held to revise the Articles of Confederation, which governed the newly independent nation following its independence from Great Britain. However, the leaders of the convention aimed to create a new system of government rather than simply revising the existing one.
The delegates to the convention agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy, pledging that "nothing spoken in the house [would] be printed or otherwise published or communicated." This was done to prevent the licentious publication of their proceedings and to allow delegates the freedom to disagree and change their minds without posturing and pandering to public opinion.
To ensure the privacy of their discussions, the windows of the meeting hall were nailed shut, and guards were posted at every door. The delegates' desire for secrecy was so strong that the records of the convention secretary, William Jackson, were brief and included little detail. The most complete first-person record of the convention, James Madison's "Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787," was not published until after his death in 1836, nearly 50 years later.
The decision to nail shut the windows was made despite the sweltering summer heat in Philadelphia. The delegates met in Independence Hall, and the closed windows added to the uncomfortable conditions inside the meeting hall. However, the delegates were determined to keep their proceedings confidential and prevent outsiders from hearing their discussions.
The Constitutional Convention was a significant event in American history, resulting in the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution. The delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, debated and ultimately adopted a new system of government, establishing a centralized federal government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
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Delegates agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in US history, bringing together delegates from across the states to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. The convention, held in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, was marked by a strict rule of secrecy.
The delegates, recognising the monumental importance of their task, agreed to observe a rule of secrecy to prevent the "licentious publication of their proceedings". They pledged that "nothing spoken in the house [would] be printed or otherwise published or communicated". This secrecy allowed delegates the freedom to disagree vehemently and change their minds without the posturing and pandering to public opinion that can often hinder political debate. It also enabled them to reach agreements on divisive issues.
The windows of the meeting hall were nailed shut, and the delegates' pledge of secrecy was so stringent that James Madison's detailed account of the convention was not published until after his death in 1836. Madison's "Notes on the Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787" provide a valuable first-person record of the proceedings, along with the notes kept by Yates.
The delegates' commitment to secrecy reflects their understanding of the delicate nature of their task and their desire to protect the integrity of the process. It allowed them to engage in robust and frank discussions, unencumbered by external pressures, as they laid the foundations for a new system of government.
The convention, despite its secrecy, produced an extraordinary achievement. The delegates, representing diverse interests and views, crafted a powerful central government with a federal system characterised by checks and balances. Their work resulted in the creation of one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world, which has served as the basis of the US government ever since.
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James Madison's notes are the most complete record
The Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, was held to draw up the Constitution of the United States. The convention was held in private, with windows nailed shut to keep the proceedings a secret from the public. The delegates agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy, with "nothing spoken in the house to be printed or otherwise published or communicated". This allowed the delegates the freedom to disagree and change their minds without the posturing and pandering to public opinion.
James Madison's "Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787" are considered the most complete first-person record of the convention. Madison's account was not published until after his death in 1836 due to the delegates' pledge to secrecy. Madison's notes provide valuable insights into the debates and discussions that took place during the convention. They include remarks by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, James Wilson, and George Mason, among others. Madison's notes were transcribed by his secretary, John C. Payne, and published in 1920 by Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott.
Madison played a significant role in the convention, and his notes reflect his perspective on the proceedings. He agreed with George Mason, who believed that state legislatures lacked the authority to ratify the new Constitution. Madison considered the Articles of Confederation to be a treaty among the states, while a true constitution could only be adopted by the people themselves. Madison's notes also mention the Virginia Plan and the debates around forming a Senate, providing a detailed account of the convention's discussions and decisions.
In addition to Madison's notes, there are a few other surviving documents that offer clues about the convention's work. These include the reports of the Committee of Detail, which produced the first draft of the Constitution, and the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which was appointed to revise and arrange the final articles. However, these committees did not record detailed minutes of their proceedings.
Overall, James Madison's notes provide the most comprehensive and detailed record of the Constitutional Convention, offering valuable insights into the debates, discussions, and perspectives of the delegates during this important event in American history.
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The convention was divided over state representation
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in US history, where delegates convened to draft the Constitution and shape the future of the nation. However, the road to consensus was fraught with divisions, particularly when it came to state representation. Large and small states clashed over how they would be represented in Congress. The larger states favoured representation based on population, arguing that their greater contribution to the nation's finances and defence warranted more votes. On the other hand, smaller states advocated for equal representation by state, fearing domination by the larger states.
This dispute threatened to derail the convention, with delegates from smaller states employing heated rhetoric and even threatening to leave. The compromise, known as the "Great Compromise" or the "Connecticut Compromise," was a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House would have proportional representation based on population, while the Senate would provide equal representation for each state, with two senators each.
The issue of slavery further complicated discussions on representation. The Three-Fifths Compromise was adopted, wherein three-fifths of enslaved people in each state were counted towards congressional representation. This compromise significantly impacted states with larger slave populations, particularly in the South. The delegates also grappled with the question of whether to allow the federal government to ban the importation of enslaved people, with an agreement reached to not forbid importation before 1808.
Another contentious topic was the design and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Delegates debated the composition and election procedures for the Senate, the role of the executive, and the method of selecting the president. The delegates ultimately agreed upon the Electoral College for electing the president, with the understanding that George Washington would be the first to hold the office.
The convention's proceedings were marked by secrecy, with delegates agreeing to keep discussions and votes confidential. This allowed for civil discourse and the freedom to disagree vehemently without external pressures. Despite their differences, the delegates were driven by a shared goal of creating a government with limited powers, balancing state and national authority, and fulfilling the promises enshrined in the Constitution's preamble.
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The convention was a civil and productive affair
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a civil and productive affair. The convention was held in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was convened to address the issues with the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation, which had been ratified a few years prior. The Articles provided for a loose confederation of states, but the central authority lacked enforcement powers and faced challenges in conducting foreign policy.
The convention was attended by delegates from all states except Rhode Island. Notable figures among the delegates included George Washington, who was elected as the convention's president, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Oliver Ellsworth, and Gouverneur Morris. The delegates agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy, allowing them to freely express their opinions and change their minds without outside influence.
During the convention, the delegates engaged in heated debates over three months, focusing on issues such as state representation in Congress and the balance of power between the states and the nation. They devised a federal system with a series of checks and balances, dividing federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The delegates also addressed controversial topics such as slavery and the abolition of slave importation, and made compromises on these issues.
The convention's productivity resulted in the creation of a powerful central government and a completely new system of government. The final version of the Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, and it was later ratified by the necessary number of states, coming into effect in 1789. The United States Constitution is now the oldest written national constitution in operation in the world and has served as a model for other nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the delegates agreed to observe a strict rule of secrecy, with “nothing spoken in the house to be printed or otherwise published or communicated”. The windows of the meeting hall were nailed shut to keep the proceedings a secret from the public.
The rule of secrecy gave delegates the freedom to disagree and change their minds without the posturing and pandering to public opinion that often marks political debate.
The US Constitution Convention was held in Philadelphia, in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall.
