Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of 1787, also known as the United States Constitution, was a pivotal moment in the country's history, establishing a federal government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. It was a significant shift from the Articles of Confederation, which had a weak central government. The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, brought together 55 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island refused to send delegates) to address the shortcomings of the Articles and propose revisions. The final text of the Constitution, drafted by a Committee of Style, was a group effort and included important concepts such as checks and balances to limit the power of each branch and guaranteed basic rights for citizens. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and submitted to the Congress of the Confederation, marking a new era in American governance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the Constitutional Convention | May 25, 1787 |
| Location of the Convention | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Number of States represented | 12 |
| State not represented | Rhode Island |
| President of the Convention | George Washington |
| Date first draft of Constitution accepted | August 6, 1787 |
| Date Constitution signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Number of branches of national government established | Three (executive, legislative, and judicial) |
| System of checks and balances | Yes |
| Protection of slave trade for | 20 years |
| Enslaved people counted as | Three-fifths of a person |
| Date Constitution came into effect | 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution of 1787 established a federal government with more specific powers
- It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had a weak central government
- The Constitution was a group effort, with input from some of the country's greatest minds
- It was unanimously agreed upon by eleven state delegations and one delegate from New York
- The Constitution was a revolution in government, providing stability and civic liberty
The Constitution of 1787 established a federal government with more specific powers
The Constitution of 1787 was a remarkable achievement by the fifty-five men gathered in Philadelphia during that summer. The document established a federal government with more specific powers, addressing the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation had proven highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs, and the national government was weak, with states operating like independent countries.
The Constitution of 1787 introduced a completely new form of government, establishing America's national government, fundamental laws, and guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens. The delegates to the convention devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This was a departure from the original imagination of a weak presidency and a strong legislature. However, as deliberations continued, the executive branch acquired more power to address issues that had been a source of sectional tension under the Articles of Confederation, and the president acquired the authority to conduct foreign relations.
The Constitution of 1787 also established a system of checks and balances to ensure that no single branch would have too much power. The specific powers and responsibilities of each branch were laid out, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. Under the reformed federal system, many of the responsibilities for foreign affairs fell under the authority of the executive branch, although important powers, such as treaty ratification, remained with the legislative branch.
The drafting of the Constitution was a group effort, but the bulk of the document can be credited to one Founding Father. Benjamin Franklin, one of the delegates, acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he respected the judgment of others. Franklin asked each of his fellow delegates to doubt a little of their own infallibility and step forward to sign the Constitution, and thirty-nine of the forty-two delegates present on the last day did so.
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It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had a weak central government
The United States Constitution of 1787 replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation had been America's first governing document, but it had proven highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs.
The Articles of Confederation had established a national government that was weak relative to the states, which operated like independent countries. The federal government faced many challenges in conducting foreign policy, largely due to its inability to pass or enforce laws that individual states were bound to follow. For example, the Confederation Congress lacked the authority to regulate interstate trade, and states imposed import duties on goods from other states. Additionally, the large majorities required for the ratification of measures under the Articles of Confederation often resulted in deadlock along sectional lines between the North and South.
The delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia were tasked with amending the Articles of Confederation. However, they soon began considering proposals for an entirely new form of government. They developed a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. A system of checks and balances was put in place to ensure that no single branch would have too much power.
The delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention included some of the country's greatest minds, and their work was a remarkable achievement. The resulting Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The Constitution came into effect in 1789 and has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since.
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The Constitution was a group effort, with input from some of the country's greatest minds
The Constitution of 1787 was a group effort, with input from some of the country's greatest minds. The document was drafted by 55 delegates representing 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The convention was held in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787, and was a response to the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation.
The delegates included George Washington, unanimously elected as president of the convention, and James Madison, a 36-year-old delegate from Virginia. The group also included future spokesmen for the Constitution, such as Alexander Hamilton, who had initially called for a convention in 1786. The convention was also attended by Benjamin Franklin, who, despite his reservations about certain parts of the document, urged his fellow delegates to sign it, emphasising the importance of humility and respect for the judgment of others.
The drafting of the Constitution was a collaborative process, with intense debates and deliberations throughout the summer of 1787. The delegates addressed issues such as state representation, slavery, and foreign relations. They also considered the structure of the government, initially imagining a weak presidency and a strong legislature. However, as the convention progressed, the Executive branch acquired more power to address sectional tensions.
The final text of the Constitution was drafted by a five-member Committee of Style, which included Hamilton, Madison, and Gouverneur Morris. The document established a federal government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—and a system of checks and balances to ensure no branch held too much power. The Constitution also guaranteed certain basic rights and freedoms for citizens, such as freedom of religion.
The Constitution of 1787 was a significant achievement, creating a delicate balance between governmental power and personal liberty. It provided a strong federal government and addressed the challenges faced by the young nation under the Articles of Confederation. The document was a testament to the leadership and commitment of the delegates who worked together to shape the future of the United States.
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It was unanimously agreed upon by eleven state delegations and one delegate from New York
The Constitution of 1787 was a remarkable achievement by the fifty-five men gathered in Philadelphia that summer. The document was drafted to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation had proven highly ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs, and the Constitutional Convention sought to establish a stronger federal government with more specific powers.
The delegates to the convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates as they did not want a powerful central government interfering in their economic business. The convention's initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates soon began considering measures to replace them entirely.
The first proposal discussed, introduced by delegates from Virginia, called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress that would be elected on a proportional basis based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch. This proposal, known as the Virginia Plan, was opposed by the New Jersey Plan, which also called for an elected executive but retained the unicameral legislative structure created by the Articles of Confederation.
The delegates engaged in intensive debates throughout the summer, facing particularly contentious issues such as state representation in the national legislature, slavery, and proportional representation. Despite these challenges, they successfully devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch held too much power.
The final draft of the Constitution was completed by a five-member Committee of Style, consisting of Hamilton, Madison, William Samuel Johnson of Connecticut, Gouverneur Morris of New York, and Rufus King of Massachusetts. On September 17, 1787, the proposal was agreed to by eleven state delegations and the lone remaining delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton. This unanimous support was considered important by the advocates of the Constitution, who sought to obtain the consent of all twelve states represented in the convention.
Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. Despite being intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation, the document introduced a completely new form of government. The members of Congress, who had the power to reject it, instead voted unanimously to forward the proposal to the thirteen states for their ratification. This marked a significant step towards achieving a ""more perfect Union"" and establishing America's national government, fundamental laws, and guaranteed basic rights for its citizens.
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The Constitution was a revolution in government, providing stability and civic liberty
The United States Constitution of 1787 was a revolution in government, providing stability and civic liberty. It was a remarkable achievement by the 55 men gathered in Philadelphia that summer. The convention's initial mandate was to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. However, the delegates soon began considering measures to replace the Articles entirely. They devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch held too much power.
The Constitution established America's national government and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was a group effort, influenced by European Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu and John Locke, but the bulk of the document can be credited to one Founding Father. The specific powers and responsibilities of each branch were laid out, with the executive branch acquiring more power to deal with issues that had been a source of tension under the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution also addressed issues related to foreign affairs, with many responsibilities falling under the authority of the executive branch, although important powers such as treaty ratification were left to the legislative branch. The delegates to the convention created a model of government that balanced the interests of different sections of the country, such as the North and the South, and provided a framework for resolving issues arising from the Revolutionary War and other domestic matters.
The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send representatives as it did not want a powerful central government interfering in its economic affairs. The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 42 delegates present on the last day, and it came into effect in 1789 after the necessary number of state ratifications. It has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of 1787, also known as the United States Constitution, is the national governing document of the United States of America. It established a federal government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—and a system of checks and balances to ensure no branch held too much power.
The Constitution of 1787 was important because it created a stronger federal government with more specific powers, including the ability to conduct foreign relations. It also guaranteed certain fundamental rights for US citizens.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 resulted in the creation of a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches. It also addressed issues such as foreign affairs, trade, and the payment of debts from the Revolutionary War. Additionally, the convention produced a draft constitution, which was later finalised and ratified.
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton were among the key figures involved in the Constitution of 1787. Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention, while Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton were influential delegates.
