Who Was Invited To The Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was a pivotal gathering that led to the creation of the United States Constitution. It was held in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House from May 25 to September 17, 1787, with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation. The convention was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send representatives. These delegates, including prominent figures like James Madison and George Washington, engaged in robust debates and discussions to shape the future of the nation. The convention resulted in the drafting of the Constitution, which established a federal government with more defined powers, particularly in the realm of foreign relations. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation and came into effect in 1789, serving as the foundational document for the United States government.

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The meeting's location and security

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, which drafted the United States Constitution, took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The meeting location was the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, and the event was also known as the Philadelphia Convention.

The convention was convened to address the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. The delegates to the convention, numbering 55, were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates.

The meetings were kept secret, with windows nailed shut to prevent the public from hearing the proceedings. Dirt was spread on the cobblestone street in front of the State House to muffle the sound of passing carriages and carts. Guards stood at the entrances to keep onlookers at bay. The discussions and votes were to be kept confidential until the conclusion of the meeting, and the delegates pledged secrecy. As a result, James Madison's detailed account of the convention, which is considered the most complete first-person record, was not published until after his death in 1836.

Delegates' selection and roles

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states; Rhode Island refused to send delegates. The convention was held in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787, and 55 delegates from 12 states attended. The delegates were tasked with addressing the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. They 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 delegates included General George Washington, who was unanimously elected president of the convention, and James Madison, who is considered the ringleader of the convention. Madison's Virginia Plan served as an outline of goals and a broad structure for the Constitution. Other notable delegates included Robert Morris of Pennsylvania, Edmund Randolph of Virginia, George Mason of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts.

The delegates discussed a range of topics, including the structure of Congress, the division of the legislature into an upper and lower house, the proposal for a bicameral (two-house) Congress, the powers of the executive branch, and the role of the Supreme Court. The rules of the convention permitted delegates to demand reconsideration of any decision previously voted on, allowing them to take straw votes and change their minds as they worked towards consensus. Despite their important roles, the delegates pledged to keep the discussions and votes secret until the conclusion of the meeting.

The structure of Congress

The legislative branch, as outlined in Article I of the Constitution, consists of the bicameral Congress, which is divided into two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is intended to represent the people, with members elected directly by the voters. On the other hand, the Senate is meant to represent the states, with each state having two senators. Originally, senators were elected by their state legislatures, but this process was later superseded by the Seventeenth Amendment, which stipulated that senators be elected by direct popular vote.

The executive branch, as described in Article II, consists of the President and subordinate officers. While the original intent was for a weak presidency, the executive branch gradually acquired more power, especially in the area of foreign relations. The President gained the authority to conduct foreign relations and negotiate treaties, which required ratification by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

The judicial branch, outlined in Article III, is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Supreme Court is tasked with interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that the actions of the legislative and executive branches are in accordance with it. This process is known as judicial review, and it allows the Supreme Court to strike down laws or actions that it deems unconstitutional.

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The role of the President

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history, as it laid the foundation for the nation's government and the role of the President. The convention, which took place in Philadelphia, was attended by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send representatives. These delegates were tasked with addressing the shortcomings of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation. The convention's initial purpose was to amend these Articles, but the delegates soon began considering more significant changes.

General George Washington was unanimously elected as the president of this convention, and his presence lent an air of importance and legitimacy to the proceedings. Washington embodied the leadership qualities that were crucial in steering the convention towards its historic outcome. The delegates, including the influential James Madison, worked diligently to create a stronger federal government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.

The executive branch, led by the President, gained significant power to address issues that had plagued the nation under the Articles of Confederation. The President acquired the authority to conduct foreign relations, with the power to negotiate and ratify treaties. This marked a shift from the original vision of a weak presidency, as the executive branch took on a more prominent role in governing the nation.

The President, as outlined in the Constitution, is the head of the executive branch and is supported by subordinate officers. The role of the President is to execute the laws of the land and manage the day-to-day administration of the government. The President also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, further emphasising the importance of this office in safeguarding the nation's security and international relations.

Additionally, the President has the power to appoint key officials, such as Supreme Court justices and ambassadors, with the consent of the Senate. This aspect of the President's role contributes to the system of checks and balances within the government, ensuring that power is distributed and monitored across different branches. The President also has the ability to veto legislation passed by Congress, providing another layer of oversight and ensuring that laws are carefully considered before being enacted.

In conclusion, the role of the President, as established by the Constitutional Convention and the subsequent Constitution, is that of a leader who executes the laws, conducts foreign relations, commands the armed forces, appoints key officials, and serves as a critical component of the system of checks and balances within the American government.

The ratification process

The drafting of the US Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention assembled at Independence Hall, with 55 delegates chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states—Rhode Island refused to send delegates. The convention's initial mandate was to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate in meeting the young nation's needs. However, the delegates soon began considering measures to replace the Articles.

The first proposal, introduced by delegates from Virginia, called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress 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 an outline of goals and a broad structure. An alternative, the New Jersey Plan, retained the legislative structure created by the Articles of Confederation.

The final report of the committee, which became the first draft of the Constitution, was the first workable constitutional plan. The committee continued to meet and make minor refinements, and several attempts were made to alter the draft. One important change that was made was the agreement between northern and southern delegates to empower Congress to end the slave trade starting in 1808.

The rules of the convention permitted delegates to demand reconsideration of any decision previously voted on, allowing them to take straw votes and change their minds as they worked towards consensus. The discussions and votes were kept secret, with the windows of the meeting hall nailed shut to keep the proceedings confidential. James Madison's "Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787" are likely the most complete first-person record of the convention.

After the Constitutional Convention, the Constitution was submitted to the states for ratification. By 1789, the necessary number of state ratifications had been received, and the Constitution came into effect. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, establishing a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The Constitution delineates the frame of the federal government, embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers and dividing federal authority into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

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