Framing A New Constitution: Delegates' Vision

In 1787, delegates from all states except Rhode Island met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. This meeting, known as the Constitutional Convention, took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and resulted in the creation of a new constitution for the United States. The delegates, including respected figures like George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, debated for months over the content of the Constitution, with some states advocating for a strong central government while others disagreed. The final version of the Constitution, signed by 39 of 55 delegates, established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to foreign affairs, and a system of checks and balances between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

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The Virginia Plan: a new form of government

The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan, was a proposed plan for a new form of government for the United States. It was presented at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The plan was drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph, and it called for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak central government with limited powers.

The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with two houses, where the number of representatives per state would be based on population. This favoured the interests of states with large populations, such as Virginia. The plan also included a council of revision, composed of members of the executive and judicial branches, with the power to veto national and state laws. However, this veto could be overridden by a certain number of votes in the legislature.

The Virginia Plan was one of several plans presented at the Constitutional Convention and was notable for setting the overall agenda for debate. It was deliberated and voted on by the full assembly, along with the New Jersey Plan, which was proposed to protect the interests of smaller states. The Virginia Plan acted as a guide for the Convention's deliberations and the final Constitution represents an outcome of elaboration upon and amendment to the plan.

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a significant event in American history, as it resulted in the creation of the first written constitution for any nation. The Convention addressed the problems of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation and established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to foreign relations. The Constitution that emerged from the Convention, with its system of checks and balances, has served as the basis of the United States government ever since.

The Connecticut Compromise: representation in the House of Representatives

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, was convened to address the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation. The convention aimed to revise the Articles and strengthen the federal government, but ultimately, the delegates created a new constitution. One of the critical debates during the convention centred on representation in the legislative branch, which was resolved through the Connecticut Compromise.

The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, delegates from Connecticut. The compromise addressed the dispute between small and large states over representation in the new federal government. The large states argued for proportional representation in both houses of Congress, believing their greater contribution to the nation's resources entitled them to more significant representation. On the other hand, small-state delegates demanded equal representation in both houses to protect their interests.

The Connecticut Compromise proposed a bicameral legislature with a dual system of representation. In the upper house, or Senate, each state would have equal representation, with two senators each. In the lower house, or House of Representatives, representation would be proportional to each state's population, with one representative for every 40,000 inhabitants, including three-fifths of the state's enslaved population. This compromise ensured that small states had a voice in the Senate while giving greater weight to populous states in the House of Representatives.

The compromise also included provisions regarding the origination of revenue bills. The House of Representatives was given the power to originate all legislation related to revenues and taxation, per the Origination Clause. Additionally, the Connecticut Compromise led to the Three-fifths Compromise, further complicating the issue of popular representation in the House. The Connecticut Compromise was a pivotal moment in the Constitutional Convention, allowing the delegates to move forward in creating a framework for the new government.

Checks and balances: dividing federal authority

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history, resulting in the creation of a new constitution and a federal government with more defined powers. One of the key principles established during this convention was the system of checks and balances, which aimed to divide federal authority and prevent any single branch from holding excessive power.

The convention delegates, guided by the spirit of compromise, crafted a government with three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This structure, inspired by the philosophy of separation of powers, ensured that each branch had its own set of responsibilities and served as a check on the others.

The legislative branch, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, holds the power to create laws. However, the executive branch, led by the President, can exercise a veto over these laws. The judicial branch, including the Supreme Court and other federal courts, has the authority to declare laws unconstitutional. This interplay of powers ensures that no branch dominates the others, creating a delicate balance.

The checks and balances system also extends to the appointment and removal of officials. While the President nominates heads of federal agencies and judicial appointees, these nominations are subject to confirmation or rejection by Congress. Notably, in exceptional circumstances, Congress has the power to impeach and remove the President from office. This mutual influence between the branches further reinforces the system of divided federal authority.

The delegates' efforts in 1787 laid the foundation for a government structure that sought to protect against the concentration of power. By dividing authority and establishing checks and balances, they created a system that has endured and evolved over the course of American history.

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The New Jersey Plan: revising the Articles of Confederation

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, was originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation and address the problems of the weak central government that existed under it. However, the delegates ultimately rejected the Articles of Confederation and created a new frame of government, resulting in the United States Constitution.

The Articles of Confederation had established a league of states with a weak central government that faced challenges in conducting foreign policy and maintaining order. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention, including prominent figures such as James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, sought to create a stronger national government with more specific powers.

The New Jersey Plan, also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan, was proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey during the Constitutional Convention as an alternative to the Virginia Plan, which had been introduced by James Madison. The Virginia Plan proposed a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on proportional representation, which favored the larger states.

In contrast, the New Jersey Plan aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation and preserve the power of the smaller states. It proposed a unicameral legislature where each state would have one vote, regardless of its population or size. This plan also included a weak executive branch and a judiciary appointed by the legislature.

The New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected in favor of the Connecticut Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with a Senate and a House of Representatives, addressing the concerns of both large and small states. However, the New Jersey Plan did influence the final structure of the government under the United States Constitution.

The President's election: choosing a group of electors

The United States Electoral College is a process, not a place, established by the Founding Fathers in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It is a group of presidential electors formed every four years with the sole purpose of voting for the president and vice president in the presidential election. The number of electors from each state is equal to that state's congressional delegation, which is the number of senators (two) plus the number of representatives for that state.

The process of choosing electors begins with the political parties in each state, who nominate slates of potential electors at their state party conventions or choose them by a vote of the party's central committee. Each presidential candidate has their own unique slate of potential electors. The voters in each state then cast votes for the presidential candidate of their choice, thereby selecting their state's electors. The winning presidential candidate's slate of potential electors are appointed as the state's electors, except in Nebraska and Maine, which have proportional distribution of electors.

The electors meet and vote in December, and the inaugurations of the president and vice president take place in January. While some states require electors to cast their votes according to the popular vote, there is no constitutional provision or federal law that mandates this. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the Constitution does not require electors to be completely free to act as they choose, and political parties may extract pledges from electors to vote for the parties' nominees.

The Electoral College was chosen as the means of electing the president due to pressure from slave states, who wanted to increase their voting power, and small states, who wanted more power given the minimum of three electors per state. The Founding Fathers also saw it as a compromise between the election of the president by a vote in Congress and election by a popular vote of qualified citizens.

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