Jonah Patel
The Constitution of the United States was written and signed in 1787 by 39 of 55 delegates from 12 states, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These delegates, often referred to as the Founding Fathers, were tasked with revising the existing government but instead created a new one. Notable among them were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, who are credited with driving the convention and preventing the young country from collapsing. James Madison is often referred to as the Father of the Constitution due to his crucial role in crafting it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed | 39 |
| Age range of delegates | 26-81 |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Dates | May 25, 1787 – September 17, 1787 |
| Key figures | George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, William Paterson, James Wilson, Roger Sherman, George Mason |
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What You'll Learn
The 'Founding Fathers'
The Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution were a group of 55 delegates who came together in 1787, years after the Revolutionary War, to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. However, the delegates ended up drafting a new constitution, creating a federal system with a national government composed of three separated powers. The delegates were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates.
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. George Washington, who had been unanimously elected as the president of the convention, oversaw the debates and helped shape the direction of the new constitution. James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution", played a crucial role in crafting it and came prepared with counterarguments against the creation of a new government. Alexander Hamilton, along with Madison and John Jay, wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays explaining the significance of the Constitution to persuade states to ratify it.
Other key players at the convention included William Paterson, who proposed the New Jersey Plan to safeguard the rights of small states, and James Wilson, who desired a single executive with absolute veto power. Roger Sherman proposed the "Connecticut Compromise" to address the conflicting demands of large and small states regarding legislative representation. George Mason, one of only three delegates who did not sign the Constitution, advocated strongly for a Bill of Rights to protect the freedoms and rights of citizens.
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55 delegates attended
The Constitution of the United States was written and signed by 55 delegates in 1787, years after the Revolutionary War. The delegates were collectively appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, which refused to send delegates. 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.
The Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been America's first constitution. However, the delegates ended up drafting a completely new form of government with a federal system and three separated powers. The convention was presided over by George Washington, who was unanimously elected as its president.
James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," played a crucial role in crafting much of the document. He came well-prepared for arguments against the creation of a new government and contributed to the Constitution by writing the first ten amendments. Alexander Hamilton and John Jay also contributed significantly to the process, and together with Madison, they wrote the Federalist Papers to explain the significance of the Constitution and persuade states to ratify it.
Other notable delegates included Roger Sherman, who proposed the "Connecticut Compromise" or "Great Compromise," which addressed the issue of representation in Congress by proposing proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. William Paterson, who helped author the New Jersey Plan to safeguard the rights of small states, and James Wilson, who desired a single executive with absolute veto power, also made significant contributions to the Constitution.
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent. The document was then submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, and the proposal was forwarded to the thirteen states for their ratification.
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39 signed
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the Constitution occurred during the Constitutional Convention, which had been called by the Confederation Congress in February 1787 to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates, representing 12 of the 13 original states (Rhode Island refused to send a delegate). The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The 39 signatories to the Constitution endorsed the document and declared that their work had been successfully completed. They also included a brief statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present and a formulaic dating of its adoption. The signatures of the delegates served as a personal endorsement of the Constitution, although some signed with reservations. Benjamin Franklin, for example, stated that while he did not approve of every part of the Constitution, he would accept it because he did not believe a better solution could be achieved at that time.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it laid the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) would function. The Constitution also introduced a completely new form of government, replacing the Articles of Confederation, which had been America's first constitution. The Constitution was then submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital, and eventually ratified by nine of the 13 states, enacting the new government.
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George Washington presided
The creators of the US Constitution were the Founding Fathers. George Washington, the first US President, played a crucial role in the creation and adoption of the US Constitution.
Washington was a nationalist and believed in the need for a strong national government. He was elected unanimously to preside over the Constitutional Convention as its president. The convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787. Washington's presence was deemed essential, and his commanding presence played a vital role in achieving the final outcome. He rarely spoke during the debates, but his opinions were the subject of much speculation.
As the presiding officer, Washington worked to forge consensus among the 55 delegates, who represented diverse interests and views. He demanded complete secrecy as the delegates embarked on the controversial task of not just revising the Articles of Confederation but creating an entirely new form of government. The delegates came from 12 of the 13 original states, with Rhode Island refusing to send representatives.
Washington's support for the Constitution carried significant weight. Federalists used his image and signature on the document to promote its ratification, arguing that if a virtuous leader like Washington backed the Constitution, it should be ratified. His private letters also revealed his endorsement of the Constitution, and he praised the amendment provision that allowed for future corrections.
Washington's role in the founding of the American Republic and his influence on the Constitution's ratification were pivotal. His involvement extended beyond military matters into the realm of governance, and he helped transform the ideals of the Revolution into reality.
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James Madison, 'Father of the Constitution'
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison played a pivotal role in drafting, promoting, and getting the Constitution of the United States ratified.
Madison was born into a prominent slave-owning planter family in Virginia in 1751. In 1774, he joined the Patriots, strongly opposed to British taxation. Madison was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. He was dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation and helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly.
Madison played an important role in starting the Constitutional Convention of 1787, in which the Articles of Confederation were to be amended or replaced by a new constitution. He also played a significant part in shaping the groundwork for a new constitution, mainly by formulating the Virginia Plan. This plan greatly increased the Constitution's longevity by creating a good balance between all branches of the government.
In Congress, Madison helped frame the Bill of Rights and enact the first revenue legislation. He also contributed to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays, also known as The Federalist Papers. Madison initially opposed the Constitution's 20-year protection of the foreign slave trade but eventually accepted it as a necessary compromise to get the South to ratify the document. He proposed that apportionment in the House of Representatives be according to each state's free and enslaved population, eventually leading to the adoption of the Three-fifths Compromise.
In his later years, Madison spoke out against the disruptive states' rights influences that threatened to shatter the Federal Union. He retired to his estate in Orange County, Virginia, where he died in 1836.
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Frequently asked questions
The creators of the Constitution were 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 original states (Rhode Island did not send a delegate). Of these 55 delegates, only 39 signed the Constitution.
Notable delegates included George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and John Dickinson.
The creators of the Constitution are often referred to as the Founding Fathers. James Madison, who played a crucial role in crafting the Constitution, is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution".
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays explaining the significance of the Constitution to persuade states to ratify it. George Mason, who did not sign the Constitution, played a key role in advocating for a Bill of Rights. Roger Sherman proposed the "Connecticut Compromise", which addressed the issue of legislative voting by proposing that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives and have an equal number of votes in the Senate. William Paterson helped author the New Jersey Plan, which attempted to safeguard the rights of small states.
The Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first framework of national government. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The Constitution aimed to address these issues and created a federal system with a national government composed of three separated powers.
