Isabella Carter
The Framers of the Constitution were visionaries who designed a constitution that would not only address the challenges facing the nation at the time but also establish the foundational principles that would guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention are referred to as framers, but only 39 signed the Constitution. The three main Founding Fathers were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of framers | 55 |
| Age range | 26 (Jonathan Dayton) to 81 (Benjamin Franklin) |
| Number of signatories | 39 |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Year | 1787 |
| Month | May |
| Duration | 3 months |
| Number of articles condensed into the final form | 23 to 7 |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| Notable framers | George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmond Randolph, Roger Sherman, George Reed, John Dickinson, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, George Clymer, Robert Morris |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, 1787
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, was a pivotal moment in American history, resulting in the creation of the United States Constitution and a new framework for government. The convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, with 55 delegates representing the original states, except for Rhode Island, which refused to send any delegates.
The delegates, also known as the Framers of the Constitution, were tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation to address issues with the weak central government. However, instead of amending the Articles, they drafted a new constitution, creating a federal government with more explicit powers, particularly in conducting foreign relations. The Framers included prominent individuals such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Jonathan Dayton, the youngest delegate at 26 years old.
The convention was convened due to concerns about the stability of the Union and the need to address financial crises, domestic issues, and the payment of debts from the Revolutionary War. James Madison of Virginia, who arrived early, played a significant role in setting the agenda. Before the convention, Madison studied historical republics and confederacies and drafted a document critiquing the political system and offering solutions. His ideas, which included a strong central government and congressional powers over taxation and commerce, formed the basis for the convention's discussions.
The convention debates covered various topics, with slavery being a particularly contentious issue. The delegates also discussed the structure of Congress and the division of powers between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. The final version of the Constitution was produced in early September and signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. The Constitution established a balance between public order and security and the protection of personal liberty, and it has served as the foundation of the United States Government since it came into effect in 1789.
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The 55 delegates
The average age of the delegates was 42. Only 39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution.
Some of those appointed by the original states did not accept or could not attend the Constitutional Convention. These included Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
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The Articles of Confederation
The Articles addressed the functions of the national government, empowering it to make war and peace, negotiate agreements with foreign countries, and resolve disputes between states. However, the central government had limited authority, and the states retained significant power. This dynamic led to challenges in regulating commerce, taxation, and setting commercial policies. The central government also faced difficulties in assembling delegates, raising funds, and effectively supporting war efforts.
In the years following the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, the limitations of the central government became increasingly apparent. By 1787, the country was on the brink of economic disaster, and disputes over territory, war pensions, and trade threatened to tear the young nation apart. As a result, the Constitutional Convention was assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead of revising the Articles, the delegates, now known as the Framers of the Constitution, drafted a new constitution to replace them.
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The Bill of Rights
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791. The ratified Articles (Articles 3–12) constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the U.S. Bill of Rights. In 1992, 203 years after it was proposed, Article 2 was ratified as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. Article 1 was never ratified.
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The signing of the Constitution
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitutional Convention began in May 1787 in Pennsylvania's State House, which is now known as Independence Hall. During the four months of deliberations, the delegates formulated a plan for a new form of republican government to replace the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation.
The 55 delegates who attended the convention represented 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates. Of the 55 attendees, 39 signed the Constitution, including Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, the youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, the oldest. The delegates who signed the document represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, or state government. Additionally, virtually all of them had participated in the American Revolution, seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and 30 had served in the military.
On the final day of the convention, Benjamin Franklin, in poor health, wrote and delivered a speech in support of the Constitution. Due to his frailty, Franklin asked James Wilson to read the speech on his behalf. In his address, Franklin acknowledged that while there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of at present, he was not sure that he would never approve of them. He accepted the Constitution because he believed it was the best option available and expected no better. Franklin's speech concluded with a plea for all the delegates to sign the document.
Following Franklin's speech, a debate ensued, and ultimately, a motion was made to sign the Constitution, which was approved by 10 of the state delegations. The signing of the Constitution marked the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, and the document was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City within three days. The Constitution laid out the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 55 framers of the US Constitution, not three. The three main Founding Fathers were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson.
The US Constitution was designed to address the specific challenges facing the nation at the time, while also establishing foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The text of the Constitution defines fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, due process of law, and freedom of religion. It also sets forth governmental powers, including the authority of Congress to regulate commerce among the states and the president's duty to execute laws faithfully.
The framers were delegates to the Constitutional Convention, tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation. Instead, they drafted a new constitution to replace the Articles. They were prominent individuals in their states, many of whom had played important roles in the Revolution and had extensive political experience.
One of the key debates during the framing of the Constitution was the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. Delegates such as Mason and Gerry argued for a bill of rights to be included at the beginning of the Constitution, but they were unable to persuade their fellow delegates. Ultimately, three delegates—Randolph, Mason, and Gerry—refused to sign the Constitution due to the absence of a Bill of Rights, among other reasons.
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