Jonah Patel
The US Constitution is one of the world's greatest political documents, and many men contributed to its creation. General George Washington was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia convention, and his leadership united the delegates behind the idea of a new federal government. James Madison, known as the father of the Constitution, was a driving force behind the convention and wrote the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, which balanced the interests of large and small states. William Paterson and James Wilson also made notable contributions, and 39 delegates ultimately signed the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| President of the Constitutional Convention | George Washington |
| Father of the Constitution | James Madison |
| Financier of the Revolution | Robert Morris |
| Author of the New Jersey Plan | William Paterson |
| Proposer of the Connecticut Compromise | Roger Sherman |
| Advocate for a single executive | James Wilson |
| Advocate for the Bill of Rights | George Mason |
| Oldest delegate | Benjamin Franklin |
| Author of the concluding endorsement | Gouverneur Morris |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's leadership and vision for a stronger union
George Washington's leadership and vision were instrumental in forging a stronger union for the United States. As the first President of the United States and the commander-in-chief, he played a pivotal role in shaping the young nation's future.
Washington's leadership was characterised by his honesty, strong moral character, and military experience. He was unanimously elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention, providing a sense of focus and direction to the proceedings. Washington had a clear vision for the nation, which included the absolute necessity of the Union, faithful obedience to the Constitution, and the establishment of a trusted government. He worked to preserve freedom under the law and promote citizens' loyalty to the nation.
Washington's experience as a military leader and his knowledge of the land gained from his time serving west of the mountains proved invaluable. He formed an alliance with Native Americans, demonstrating his ability to create unity and his understanding of the diverse makeup of the nation. As a military leader, he prepared his men for the hardships of battle, treating them with dignity and respect.
Washington's vision for a stronger union extended beyond politics. He advocated for the establishment of a national university, a symbol of the young nation's unity and a gift to the country. He designated land for this university in the new federal city across the Potomac and offered a substantial endowment, demonstrating his commitment to education and the unification of the states.
Washington's leadership was also evident in his ability to navigate competing philosophies within his administration, specifically between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. He urged them to find common ground and make compromises for the betterment of the nation. Washington himself leaned towards Hamilton's pro-industrial policies, but he recognised the need for unity and the inclusion of differing views.
Washington's presence and guidance during the Constitutional Convention and his subsequent presidency helped lay the foundation for a stronger union. His vision, experience, and leadership skills united the states and set the course for the nation's future.
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James Madison's defence of the Constitution
James Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" due to his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Madison was a driving force behind the Constitutional Convention and played a key role in shaping the new constitution, which was designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Virginia Constitution in 1776 and served as a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress.
Madison's defence of the Constitution was rooted in his belief in a strong central government that could provide order and stability. He envisioned a "middle ground" where national authority was supreme while still maintaining state power in a subordinate role. Madison also emphasised the importance of individual liberties and believed that the Constitution should be interpreted objectively, with the meaning settled by long and universally accepted practices rather than subjective judicial discretion.
To defend and promote the Constitution, Madison joined forces with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays explaining the significance of the Constitution and aiming to persuade states to ratify it. Madison contributed to writing the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, which offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and restrict the powers of the government within U.S. states.
Madison's role in the creation and defence of the Constitution extended beyond his political contributions. He struggled for decades to publish his journal, which contained his "`Notes of Debates`" from the Constitutional Convention, due to fears of misrepresentation and controversy. Madison's writings provide valuable insights into his thoughts on constitutional interpretation and his denial of any one branch's supremacy in that process.
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Roger Sherman's 'Great Compromise'
Roger Sherman is credited with making a significant contribution to the US Constitution through what became known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Great Compromise. The Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the US Constitution.
The Compromise was proposed by Sherman and his fellow Connecticut delegate, Oliver Ellsworth, to resolve a dispute between small and large states over representation in the new federal government. While large states, like Virginia, advocated for legislative voting based on proportional representation, smaller states demanded equal representation of each state in the new Congress.
Sherman's Compromise proposed a bicameral federal legislature with a dual system of representation. In this system, the upper house, or Senate, would have equal representation from each state, with each state having two members and one vote. The lower house, or House of Representatives, would have proportional representation based on a state's population, with each state having one representative for every 40,000 inhabitants, including three-fifths of each state's enslaved population.
The Compromise was approved on July 16, 1787, and was a significant step in the creation of the US Constitution. It allowed for the interests of both small and large states to be represented in the federal government and set the framework for the legislative branch of the US government.
Sherman was also the only founding father to have signed all the major documents of the Revolutionary era: The Continental Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation.
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William Paterson's New Jersey Plan
Several individuals made significant contributions to the creation of the US Constitution. James Madison, for instance, is often referred to as the "father of the Constitution". Roger Sherman is also credited for his proposal of the "Connecticut Compromise" or the "Great Compromise", which addressed the issue of legislative voting.
Among these key figures, William Paterson played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution through his proposal of the New Jersey Plan. Introduced in June 1787, the New Jersey Plan was one of two major competing proposals for the structure and functioning of the US government. The plan consisted of nine resolutions and aimed to safeguard the rights of small states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
The most significant aspect of the New Jersey Plan was its call for equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature. Paterson argued that each state should have an equal vote in Congress, regardless of its population. He opposed plans for proportional representation, fearing that the interests of small states would be overlooked in favour of larger states. In his own words, he stated, "I would rather submit to a Monarch, to a despot, than to such a fate."
The New Jersey Plan also included proposals to expand the powers of Congress, including the authority to collect import duties, impose taxes such as stamp taxes and postage, and establish a federal judiciary appointed by the executive branch. Additionally, the plan introduced the three-fifths rule, which counted three-fifths of the enslaved population of a state for determining its population and, consequently, its taxation rates and responsibilities.
While the New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected in favour of the Virginia Plan, it played a pivotal role in shaping the final structure of the US Constitution. The resulting agreement, known as the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise, incorporated aspects of both plans. It established a bicameral legislature, with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation based on state population in the House of Representatives. This compromise ensured that the interests of both small and large states were considered, reflecting Paterson's influence in safeguarding the rights of smaller states.
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James Wilson's desire for a single executive
James Wilson, a Scottish-American Founding Father, legal scholar, jurist, and statesman, played a significant role in shaping the US Constitution, particularly in his advocacy for a single executive. Wilson, a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, was a strong proponent of a unitary executive, arguing against proposals for a multi-person executive. He believed that a three-person executive would lead to unnecessary discord and complicate decision-making at the federal level.
Wilson's desire for a single executive reflected his vision for a strong and independent executive branch. He wanted the executive to be energetic, independent, and accountable to the people. Wilson's proposal for a unitary executive was not without opposition. Some delegates, including Virginia Delegate Edmund Randolph, argued that a single executive would concentrate too much power in one person, potentially leading to tyranny. Randolph preferred an executive consisting of three people, which he believed would provide greater accountability.
However, Wilson persuasively countered these arguments by pointing out that the grievances of the colonists during the British rule were primarily directed at laws enacted by Parliament rather than the monarch. Wilson's proposal for a single executive ultimately prevailed, and it laid the foundation for the American presidency as we know it today. He is often referred to as the ""principal architect of the executive branch" and the man whose "conception of the presidency... was in the final analysis the presidency we got."
In addition to his advocacy for a single executive, Wilson made several other significant contributions to the US Constitution. He was a strong supporter of greater participatory democracy, proportional legislative representation based on population, and a strong national government. He was also involved in negotiating the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted three-fifths of each state's slave population toward that state's total population for congressional representation. This compromise was crucial in gaining support for the Constitution, particularly from slave-majority southern states.
Wilson's legal expertise and his understanding of civic virtue greatly influenced the structure, powers, and selection process of the presidency. He was a strong advocate for the direct election of the president through a national popular vote, although the adopted Electoral College system resembled his proposal. Wilson's ideas and contributions to the US Constitution continue to shape the American political and legal landscape even today.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison is known as the "father of the Constitution". He was a driving force behind the convention and wrote the first 10 amendments that were adopted by the first Congress.
George Washington was elected unanimously as the president of the Constitutional Convention. He oversaw the debate and helped forge a consensus, demanding complete secrecy as the delegates set about the controversial task of revising the Articles of Confederation.
The US Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus.
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was proposed by Roger Sherman. It proposed that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives and by an equal number of votes from each state in the Senate.
The New Jersey Plan was authored by William Paterson. It attempted to safeguard the rights of small states by calling for each state to have equal representation in Congress.
