Simone Lawson
The supporters of the United States Constitution were known as Federalists. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. The Federalists included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, who feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse. Madison, famously known as the father of the Constitution, was a driving force behind the convention, and he later wrote the Federalist Papers with Hamilton and John Jay to explain the significance of the Constitution and persuade states to ratify it. Other Federalists included Roger Sherman, who proposed the Connecticut Compromise, and James Wilson, who advocated for a single executive with absolute veto power. The Federalists agreed to consider amendments to address the Anti-Federalists' demands for a bill of rights, which helped ensure the successful ratification of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of delegates | 26-81 |
| Leader of the Anti-Federalists | Patrick Henry |
| Number of states that reported a pro-Constitution majority | 6 |
| Number of states whose ratification included a recommendation for a bill of rights | 4 |
| Number of delegates who did not sign the Constitution | 3 |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution | 9 |
| Number of delegates from each state | 1 |
| Number of representatives for each state in the House of Representatives | 1 for every 30,000 people |
| Number of representatives for each state in the Senate | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
The Federalists
Alexander Hamilton, a young lawyer from New York, worked closely with Madison. They issued a report calling upon Congress to summon delegates from all states to revise the Articles of Confederation, recognizing the need for a stronger central government. George Washington, unanimously elected as president of the Constitutional Convention, shared this vision for a stronger union. His presence provided a sense of focus and direction during the convention.
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The Founding Fathers
There were 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity. Several other individuals were appointed as delegates but did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
Several individuals stood out as key players among the Founding Fathers. George Washington, who was unanimously elected as president of the Constitutional Convention, provided a sense of focus and direction for the delegates. James Madison, often referred to as the "father of the Constitution," was a driving force behind the convention and came well-prepared for arguments against the creation of a new government. After the Constitution was signed, Madison wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to persuade states to ratify the document. Madison also contributed to the Bill of Rights, writing the first 10 amendments that were adopted by the first Congress.
Another key player was Roger Sherman, who proposed the "Connecticut Compromise" or "Great Compromise." This compromise addressed the issue of congressional representation by proposing that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives, while each state would have an equal number of votes in the Senate. This compromise helped to address the concerns of both large and small states.
Other notable Founding Fathers include James Wilson, who argued for a single executive with absolute veto power, and Alexander Hamilton, who worked with Madison to issue a report calling for delegates of all states to meet for the purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation. The efforts of these individuals and the other Founding Fathers resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, which stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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The Anti-Federalists
The previous constitution, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, gave state governments more authority. The Anti-Federalists worried that the new position of president might evolve into a monarchy. They also believed that the federal government's powers to tax provided by the Constitution could be used to exploit citizens and weaken the power of the states.
The arguments of the Anti-Federalists influenced the formation of the Bill of Rights. In response to their demands, the Federalists agreed to consider amendments to be added to the new Constitution. This helped ensure that the Constitution would be successfully ratified.
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The Constitutional Convention
The convention was originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, but most delegates eventually agreed on the need for a new constitution. The convention debated and ratified the United States Constitution, which established a federal government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The role of the executive was a highly debated topic, including the question of whether executive power should be vested in a single chief executive, to be called the President. Another key issue was the question of slavery, with delegates debating the insertion of a fugitive slave clause, the potential abolition of the slave trade, and whether slaves should be counted in proportional representation.
The convention was the culmination of efforts by Madison and others to reform the existing system of government, which they believed was inadequate. Madison, who arrived in Philadelphia eleven days early, had 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. His blueprint for constitutional revision became the starting point for the convention's deliberations, and his influence was critical in shaping the eventual outcome.
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The Bill of Rights
The Anti-Federalists played a significant role in the ratification process of the Constitution. In Massachusetts, a compromise was reached, known as the "Massachusetts compromise," where the state agreed to ratify the Constitution with the recommended provision that it be amended with a bill of rights. Four of the next five states to ratify, including New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York, included similar language in their ratification instruments. This compromise helped ensure that the Constitution would be successfully ratified.
The arguments of the Anti-Federalists influenced the formation of the Bill of Rights. In response to their demands for specific guarantees of liberty, the Federalists agreed to consider amendments to the new Constitution. James Madison, a key figure in the creation of the Constitution, initially maintained that a bill of rights was unnecessary. However, by the fall of 1788, he had been convinced of its necessity to ensure acceptance of the Constitution and its positive effects. Madison's support for the bill of rights was critical, and he contributed to the Constitution by writing the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Supporters of the US Constitution were called Federalists.
Some key supporters of the US Constitution included George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Federalists believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. They believed that the government needed to be powerful to overcome issues such as disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade.
The Federalist Papers were 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These essays explained the significance of the Constitution and aimed to persuade states to ratify it.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787. It brought together 55 delegates who initially intended to revise the existing government but ultimately created a new one. The Convention was a fiery and intense gathering that laid the foundation for the US Constitution.
