Constitution Framing: Delegates' Vision And Legacy

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal event in American history, where 55 delegates assembled in Philadelphia to revise the existing Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates, led by prominent figures like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, ended up drafting a new constitution, creating a powerful central government with a system of checks and balances. They debated for months, navigating differences between large and small states, and crafted compromises, such as the Connecticut Compromise, to ensure fair representation. The final draft of the Constitution, though lacking a Bill of Rights, became the first written constitution in the world, setting a precedent for governance and enduring as one of the longest-lived constitutions.

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The delegates debated and ratified the US Constitution, creating a new government

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal event in American history, where 55 delegates assembled in Philadelphia to revise the existing Articles of Confederation. However, they ended up drafting a new constitution, creating a powerful central government, and establishing a lasting framework for the nation.

Initially, the delegates intended to modify the existing system, addressing issues such as territorial disputes, war pensions, taxation, and trade. However, influential figures like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington believed the country needed a stronger national government to prevent collapse.

The delegates represented diverse interests and views, leading to vigorous debates. Large states advocated for proportional representation in Congress, while smaller states demanded equal representation. This tension was resolved through the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman. It established a bicameral legislature with equal state representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House of Representatives.

The delegates also grappled with the selection of the executive, with James Wilson proposing the direct election of the president by the people, which was rejected. Instead, they agreed that the president would be elected by "electors" chosen by state legislatures or the people of their states, a compromise that was grudgingly accepted.

The final draft of the Constitution was a synthesis of ideas from various individuals, including the Virginia Plan's outline of goals and structure. The delegates voted to submit it to state ratifying conventions, bypassing state legislatures due to concerns about relinquishing power. On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates signed the Constitution, marking a significant step towards a new government.

The delegates proposed a bicameral legislative branch with equal state representation in the Senate

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal event in American history, resulting in the creation of a new system of government. The convention was convened due to concerns that the young nation was on the brink of collapse, with disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatening to tear it apart. Initially, the delegates intended to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, but they ultimately crafted a new constitution.

Among the key proposals put forth by the delegates was the idea of a bicameral legislative branch. This proposal aimed to address the conflicting interests of large and small states regarding representation in Congress. Large states, with their larger populations, argued for proportional representation, believing their larger populations deserved more of a voice. On the other hand, small states wanted equal representation to prevent being overshadowed by their larger counterparts.

Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut, proposed a compromise that became known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Great Compromise. This proposal suggested a legislative branch with two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state would have equal representation in the Senate, with two delegates, while representation in the House would be based on population. This ensured that both large and small states had a say in the government.

The delegates agreed to this compromise, recognising that it provided a balance of power and addressed the concerns of both sides. This compromise was a significant step towards creating a unified government that represented the diverse interests and views of the states. It also set a precedent for finding consensus in a nation with varying opinions and perspectives.

The Connecticut Compromise was not without its critics, however. James Madison and his nationalist colleagues were disconcerted, believing that it would hinder their vision of a robust national government. Nonetheless, they eventually conceded, understanding the importance of compromise in the face of differing opinions. The Connecticut Compromise played a pivotal role in shaping the structure of the US government and addressing the complexities of representation in a diverse nation.

The delegates agreed on a powerful central government, bypassing state legislatures

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal event in American history, resulting in the creation of a new government rather than the revision of the existing one. Fifty-five delegates attended the sessions, bringing diverse ideas and perspectives about the role of government in the nation. The delegates, representing their respective states, engaged in vigorous debates over several months, shaping the content of the Constitution.

One of the key outcomes of the Convention was the agreement on a powerful central government, marking a departure from the Articles of Confederation. The delegates recognised the need for a stronger national government to address the challenges facing the young country, which was on the brink of collapse due to financial crises, territorial disputes, and disagreements over war pensions, taxation, and trade. The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, had limited power and lacked enforcement capabilities, highlighting the importance of establishing a more robust central authority.

The delegates, however, were cautious about centralised power and remained loyal to their states. They crafted a compromise that balanced the interests of large and small states, known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Great Compromise. This compromise proposed by Roger Sherman from Connecticut, established a bicameral legislative branch. Each state would have equal representation in the Senate, and representation in the House of Representatives would be based on population. This ensured that smaller states had a voice in the Senate while also recognising the larger populations of other states.

The delegates also agreed on the creation of an executive branch and a judicial branch, establishing a system of checks and balances. This distribution of power across the three branches ensured that no single branch could dominate the others. The delegates' vision for a powerful central government was realised through the ratification of the Constitution by nine of the thirteen states, enacting a new government that has endured and been emulated worldwide.

The delegates' decision to bypass state legislatures during the ratification process was intentional. They recognised that members of state legislatures would be reluctant to cede power to a national government. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state, allowing the people to authorise the new government directly. This approach ensured that the delegates' vision for a strong central government could be realised without encountering resistance from state legislatures.

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The delegates voted against George Mason's proposal for a Bill of Rights to be included

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal event in American history, witnessing 55 delegates gather in Philadelphia to debate and ratify the Constitution of the United States. This convention produced the first written constitution in the world. The delegates, ranging in age from 26 to 81, were appointed by the original states, excluding Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates.

Among these delegates was George Mason, a prominent figure from Virginia and the main author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which served as the basis for the nation's Bill of Rights. On September 12, just before the Convention adjourned, Mason proposed that a Bill of Rights be included in the nearly complete draft of the Constitution. He believed that this addition would "give great quiet to the people".

Mason's proposal for a Bill of Rights was met with resistance from the delegates. When the matter was put to a vote, not a single state delegation supported his idea. This decision would later be viewed as a significant mistake by those who drafted the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, serving as an ambassador to France, shared his disappointment upon receiving a copy of the Constitution without a Bill of Rights.

Mason's proposal for a Bill of Rights reflected his commitment to protecting individual rights and liberties. He refused to sign the Constitution due to his belief that it granted excessive power to a central government and lacked guarantees for individual liberty. His dissent also arose from the Convention's failure to address slavery more forcefully, although he himself owned slaves. As a result of his refusal to endorse the final document, Mason lost the friendship of George Washington and others.

Despite the initial rejection of his proposal, Mason's efforts eventually bore fruit. In 1791, the federal Bill of Rights was passed, providing the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights, completed in 1776, influenced not only the nation's Bill of Rights but also the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of 1789.

The delegates elected George Washington as President of the convention

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history, where 55 delegates from the original states, except Rhode Island, gathered in Philadelphia to revise the existing Articles of Confederation. Among these delegates, George Washington, a proponent of a stronger national government, was elected as the President of the convention. Washington, a former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, brought a unique perspective to the proceedings.

Washington's election as President of the convention was unanimous, and his presence provided a sense of focus and direction for the delegates. While he initially had reservations about engaging in the creation of the Constitution, Washington's vision for a stronger union was unwavering. By presiding over the convention, he was able to oversee the debates and ensure that his ideas were considered and incorporated into the final document.

Washington's leadership was crucial in navigating the complex dynamics among the delegates, who represented diverse interests and views. The convention witnessed intense debates between delegates advocating for a strong central government and those opposed to it. Large states pushed for more representation in Congress, while smaller states sought equal representation. Washington's experience and influence helped manage these conflicting perspectives and forge compromises that shaped the final Constitution.

One of the key compromises that emerged was the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise. Proposed by Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut, this compromise addressed the issue of representation in the House of Representatives. It stipulated that each state would have equal representation in the Senate, while representation in the House would be based on population. This compromise satisfied both large and small states, ensuring their voices were heard and represented in the new government.

Washington's election as President of the convention was not merely symbolic but reflected his stature and influence among the delegates. As the "father of the Constitution," he played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the discussions and ensuring the creation of a powerful central government. His presence and guidance helped transform what was initially intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation into a groundbreaking new system of government, solidifying his legacy as one of the key architects of the United States Constitution.

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