Eleanor Finch
The 1787 Constitution, drafted in Philadelphia, established the government of the United States. The Constitutional Convention, led by proponents including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, sought to create a new system of government, addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The resulting four-page document, signed on September 17, 1787, outlined a federal government with specific powers, including those related to foreign relations. The Constitution divided power between the federal government and the states, establishing a framework for a strong central government. It was ratified by the American people and came into effect in 1789, marking a significant event in American history and launching a new phase of republican government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federal System of Government | A division of powers between a strong central government and state governments |
| Republicanism | Rejecting monarchy, the constitution established a system where citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern |
| Limited Government | The constitution outlines specific powers given to the government, with all other powers reserved for the states or the people |
| Separation of Powers | The constitution divides the federal government into three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial - each with distinct and separate powers |
| Checks and Balances | Each branch of government has some control over the other two, ensuring a balance of power and preventing one branch from becoming too powerful |
| Representative Democracy | The House of Representatives is proportionally elected by the people, ensuring direct representation |
| Judicial Review | The power of the Supreme Court to review and strike down laws and actions of the other branches if they are found to be unconstitutional |
| Individual Rights | The constitution includes a Bill of Rights, outlining freedoms and protections for individuals, including freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms |
| Commerce and Taxation | The constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce and collect taxes |
| Amendment Process | The constitution can be amended, but it requires a high threshold of approval, needing ratification by three-fourths of the states |
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What You'll Learn
The convention's purpose
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was convened to address the weaknesses of the central government under the existing Articles of Confederation. The convention aimed to revise the league of states and devise a stronger federal government with more defined powers.
The convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The delegates met six days a week, for five hours per day, to discuss, debate, and ultimately draft the United States Constitution.
The convention was initially intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, but it became clear by mid-June that the delegates would instead create an entirely new framework of government. The key issues under discussion included the balance of power between the federal government and the states, the number of representatives each state would have in Congress, and how these representatives would be elected.
Leading proponents of the convention, including James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, envisioned a strong central government with a system of checks and balances. Madison, who had studied historical republics and confederacies, believed in the need for a compulsory taxation authority and the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. He advocated for ways to enforce federal supremacy and prevent state interference.
The convention ultimately resulted in the drafting, debating, and signing of the United States Constitution, making it one of the most significant events in American history. The Constitution established a federal government with specific powers, including those related to foreign relations. It divided the government into the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches, with a weak presidency and a strong legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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James Madison's influence
James Madison of Virginia was a leading proponent of the Constitutional Convention. He arrived in Philadelphia 11 days early and set the agenda for the convention. Before the convention, Madison studied republics and confederacies throughout history, and drafted a document titled "Vices of the Political System of the United States", which offered solutions to the weaknesses of the American political system. Madison's blueprint for constitutional revision became the starting point for the convention's discussions.
Madison believed that the solution to America's problems lay in a strong central government. He thought that Congress needed compulsory taxation authority, as well as the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. To prevent state interference with federal authority, he believed there needed to be a way to enforce federal supremacy. Madison also played a central role in drafting, explaining, and ratifying the Constitution. He sought to reassure critics of the Constitution by adding guarantees of fundamental liberties, such as freedom of religion, speech, and the press.
Madison also helped to turn public opinion towards ratification, joining with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write a series of essays that became known as The Federalist Papers. Madison wrote fewer than 20 of the 85 essays, with his first contribution, Federalist No. 10, becoming highly regarded in the 20th century for its advocacy of representative democracy. In it, Madison describes the dangers posed by majority factions and argues that their effects can be limited through the formation of a large republic.
Madison also played a significant role in the early days of the republic, serving as secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson. He then served as president for two terms from 1809 to 1817. During his presidency, Madison demonstrated his commitment to the First Amendment by refusing to muzzle the press, despite intense domestic opposition to the War of 1812. He also vetoed two pieces of legislation that he considered to be unconstitutional financial support for religious institutions.
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George Washington's election
The 1787 Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, and it was a significant event in American history. The Constitutional Convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and it debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States. The convention was initially intended to revise the Articles of Confederation and create the first system of federal government. However, some proponents of the convention, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, sought to create a new form of government.
George Washington, a former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. Washington was chosen to lead the convention due to his strong leadership qualities and his support for a stronger national government. He played a crucial role in shaping the future role and powers of the presidency and set important precedents for future presidents.
As the president of the Constitutional Convention, Washington's leadership influenced the framing of the executive branch of the government. His signature on the new Constitution was a deciding endorsement, and it helped to unite the country under a stronger federal government. Washington's military experience and proven leadership capabilities inspired confidence in the delegates who crafted the Constitution.
Following the Constitutional Convention, George Washington was unanimously chosen as the first president of the United States in the 1789 presidential election. The election took place on February 4, 1789, and electors from ten out of thirteen states participated. Washington received an overwhelming majority of the votes, appearing on all but three of the 72 ballots cast. His ascent to the presidency was expected, and his fellow Founding Fathers considered his acceptance of the role a foregone conclusion.
Washington's election as the first president of the United States was a significant moment in the country's history. He embarked on a celebratory procession from Mount Vernon to New York City, where he was inaugurated on April 30, 1789. Washington's journey was marked by joyous celebrations in towns and villages along the way, with banners, speeches, and triumphal arches. His election united the country and marked the beginning of a new era in American history.
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The Connecticut Compromise
The 1787 Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, during the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was held to revise the Articles of Confederation and devise the first system of federal government. However, the assembly set about creating a new frame of government instead of revising the existing one.
The Compromise resolved enough lingering arguments for a draft written by the Committee of Detail to be accepted. This draft, with some modifications, can be found in the finished version of the Constitution. The Connecticut Compromise allowed deliberations to continue and led to the Three-fifths Compromise, which further complicated the issue of popular representation in the House.
The delegates from small states and those from large states disagreed over the apportionment of representation in the federal government. Edmund Randolph offered the Virginia or large state plan, which provided for a bicameral legislature with representation of each state based on its population or wealth. William Paterson proposed the New Jersey or small state plan, which provided for equal representation in Congress. Ellsworth and Sherman proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation of the states in the upper house, with all revenue measures originating in the lower house. This compromise was approved on July 16, 1787.
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Ratification and implementation
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States. The convention was held to address the weaknesses of the existing system of government, which operated under the Articles of Confederation, and to establish a stronger central government.
The process of ratification was not without challenges. While some states quickly ratified the Constitution, others faced opposition and riots from anti-Federalists. New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788. However, it was not until May 29, 1790, that Rhode Island, the last state, finally approved the document, marking the completion of the ratification process by all states.
The Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, particularly in conducting foreign relations. It created a model of government that relied on a system of checks and balances by dividing federal authority among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The legislative branch retained important powers, such as treaty ratification, while the executive branch, led by the President, gained the authority to conduct foreign relations.
The ratification of the Constitution marked a significant shift in the United States' system of government, moving away from the Articles of Confederation and towards a stronger, more centralized federal government.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1787 Constitution was drafted to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. It established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments.
James Madison of Virginia, Alexander Hamilton of New York, and George Washington were among the key figures involved in drafting the 1787 Constitution. Madison arrived in Philadelphia 11 days early and set the agenda for the convention, while Hamilton and Washington were proponents of a stronger national government.
There were several key debates during the drafting of the 1787 Constitution, including how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives each state should have in Congress, and how these representatives should be elected. Another key debate was the structure of Congress and how its members would be selected, with delegates ultimately deciding on a division between the upper and lower houses.
The 1787 Constitution was ratified by the American people and came into effect in 1789, with the convening of the First Congress and the inauguration of George Washington as the first president. It established the government of the United States and has served as the basis of the country's government ever since.
