The Constitutional Convention's Most Famous Document

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was held in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were considered too weak to govern the country effectively. However, the Convention ultimately abandoned the Articles and drafted a new Constitution with a stronger national government. This four-page document, signed on September 17, 1787, established the government of the United States and has served as the basis of the country's government ever since. The Constitution addressed issues such as the balance of power between the federal government and the states, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and how these representatives should be elected.

Explore related products

The Constitutional Convention: Core Documents

$0.99

The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison (Modern Library Classics)

$13.65 $22

The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates (Signet Classics)

$8.32 $8.95

Madison’s Hand: Revising the Constitutional Convention

$26 $26

Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

$35 $34.99

Documents and Reports of the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York, 1894

$21.96 $38.95

The Constitutional Convention of 1787

James Madison of Virginia played a key role in the convention. Before the convention, he studied historical republics and confederacies and drafted a document titled "Vices of the Political System of the United States," which identified weaknesses in the American political system and offered solutions. Madison's proposal for a stronger central government with compulsory taxation authority and the power to regulate commerce influenced the convention's direction.

The convention was marked by intense debates and compromises. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation, whether it should be based on population or divided equally among the states. A compromise was reached, with each state getting one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. Another contentious issue was slavery. The delegates agreed to temporarily preserve slavery and the slave trade, while also designating each enslaved African as three-fifths of a free person for representation purposes.

The delegates ultimately created a model of government that divided federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, establishing a system of checks and balances. They also devised the electoral college for selecting the president and expanded the powers of Congress. The final version of the Constitution was produced by the Committee of Style and signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787.

The Constitution of the United States, established a federal government with more specific powers, including the authority to conduct foreign relations. The document also included provisions addressing issues related to religion and other subjects later covered by the First Amendment, such as the outlawing of religious tests for federal offices. The Constitution came into effect in 1789 after ratification by 9 of the 13 states and has served as the basis of the US government ever since.

The Articles of Confederation

In May 1786, Charles Pinckney of South Carolina proposed that Congress revise the Articles of Confederation. A committee was appointed to draft amendments to the Articles, which were produced on August 7, 1786, and written chiefly by committee chairman Pinckney. However, these amendments were never acted upon. In May 1787, the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, but instead ended up drafting an entirely new constitution with a much stronger national government.

A stronger national government

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The convention was also tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which had been in effect since 1781. However, the delegates to the convention soon realised that rather than amend the existing Articles, they would need to draft an entirely new constitution with a much stronger national government.

The convention was attended by 55 delegates, considered the Framers of the Constitution, though only 39 delegates signed the final document. The convention was held in Philadelphia, and the final document, the United States Constitution, was signed on September 17, 1787. The Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting foreign relations.

The delegates to the convention created a model of government that relied on a series of checks and balances by dividing federal authority between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. The convention gave the central government greater powers, such as the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and the power to pass and enforce laws. The convention also decided that each state should have two senators, and that these senators would have individual voting power, rather than casting a single joint vote as had been the practice in the Confederation Congress.

The Constitution also outlined the process for ratifying treaties, which fell under the authority of the executive branch, although the actual ratification remained the responsibility of the legislative branch. The Constitution came into effect in 1789 after the necessary number of state ratifications and has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since.

Explore related products

Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence: Senator Rand Paul, Delegates of The Constitutional Convention

$2.99 $2.99

The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution (The Simon & Schuster America Collection)

$11.29 $19.99

The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence

$1.99 $6.95

Constitution of the United States: US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights with Amendments. Pocket Size

$8.99 $2.79

Decision in Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention of 1787

$18 $18

Documents of the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York, 1915 Begun and Held at the Capitol in the City of Albany on Tuesday the Sixth Day of April. 1915 Volume no.1-54 [Leather Bound]

$46.56 $48.99

Checks and balances

The US Constitution, drafted in 1787, is the famous document that emerged from the Constitutional Convention. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States.

The US Constitution features a system of checks and balances that divides federal authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the US government. This system was designed to prevent any one branch from having too much power and to ensure equal power among the branches.

The legislative branch, run by Congress, is responsible for making laws. It consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch first proposes a bill, which is then voted on by Congress and sent to the executive branch.

The executive branch is headed by the President of the United States. The President decides whether to sign the bill into law or veto it. However, the legislative branch can override the President's veto if two-thirds of the group agrees.

The judicial branch, which includes the courts, is responsible for determining the constitutionality of laws. The people of the United States can file a lawsuit if they believe a law is not constitutional. Through judicial review, the courts can check the actions of the other two branches.

The system of checks and balances allows each branch of government to have a say in law-making and ensures that the government is controlled by the people, rather than by a single group or authority.

Ratification

The famous document written by the Constitutional Convention is the United States Constitution. The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May to September 1787, and the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.

The process of ratification for the United States Constitution was a significant and complex undertaking, with several key steps and a range of individuals and groups involved. Here is a detailed overview of the ratification process:

The Constitutional Convention's Role

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention played a crucial role in shaping the ratification process. They envisioned a strong national government with a balance of powers across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The delegates wanted the Constitution to be ratified by a majority of states, setting the requirement at nine out of the thirteen states, ensuring that a majority of citizens were represented. This process demonstrated that the new constitution was established by the will of the people rather than political elites.

George Washington's Influence

George Washington, as president of the Constitutional Convention, encouraged delegates to compromise and work towards a stronger national government. He actively supported the ratification process, believing that the Constitution would address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Washington corresponded with political leaders, including Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, urging them to endorse the Constitution. He also addressed concerns about individual liberties, assuring skeptics that amendments could be made after ratification.

The Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, known as Federalists, authored the Federalist Papers to promote ratification. They argued for a stronger central government and addressed fears about federal power. Their efforts were crucial in garnering support for the Constitution, especially in states like New York, a hotbed of anti-Federalism at the time.

State Ratification

The Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, and they voted to forward it to the thirteen states for ratification. The state legislatures organized "Federal Conventions" to ratify the document, and the process required ratification by nine states, a two-thirds majority. Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey were among the first states to ratify the Constitution, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth state on June 21, 1788. However, the process was not without challenges, with states like Virginia and New York expressing concerns and requiring persuasion. Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution in May 1790, after facing threats of being treated as a foreign country.

The ratification of the United States Constitution was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, establishing a new form of government and shaping the country's future. It faced opposition and sparked debates, but ultimately, a sufficient number of states ratified the document, and it came into effect in 1789.

Frequently asked questions