Omar Bennett
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787, saw 39 of the 55 delegates who attended sign the Constitution. The delegates, or state representatives, debated for months over what would be included in the Constitution. The convention was initially intended to revise the league of states and devise the first system of federal government under the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately, the delegates created a powerful central government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 25 to September 1787 |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Number of Delegates | 55 |
| Number of Signatories | 39 |
| Age Range of Delegates | 26 to 81 |
| Topics of Discussion | Checks and balances, division of federal authority, slavery, property qualifications for voters, representation in Congress, nationality requirements, ways to amend and ratify the Constitution |
| Notable Absentees | Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Hancock |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitutional Convention of 1787
The Convention was called to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the United States. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and could not print money. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart.
James Madison of Virginia, who would later become the fourth President of the United States, played a crucial role in the Convention. Madison arrived in Philadelphia eleven days early and prepared a blueprint for constitutional revision, which became the starting point for the Convention's deliberations. Madison's plan included a proposal for a three-branch system of government, with a strong executive branch, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary.
The delegates to the Convention, representing different interests and views, engaged in vigorous debates and compromises. One of the key compromises was the Connecticut Compromise, which resolved the dispute between large and small states over representation in Congress. The compromise established that representation in the House of Representatives would be based on population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate.
Another significant issue addressed during the Convention was slavery. In 1787, slavery was in decline in America, but it remained a significant part of the social and economic fabric in some of the states represented. The delegates, in their quest for compromise, enshrined the institution of slavery within the Constitution, including a fugitive slave clause.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures out of the 55 delegates who attended. The Constitution established a powerful central government and provided for a system of checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The delegates also set the terms for ratifying the Constitution, bypassing the state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states was required to enact the new government.
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Delegates and their backgrounds
The Constitutional Convention, contemporarily known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, was attended by 55 delegates, of whom only 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates were appointed by 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send delegates. The delegates' ages ranged 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 delegates included prominent figures such as George Washington of Virginia, former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, who was elected to serve as President of the convention. James Madison of Virginia, whose notes on the convention provide a valuable first-person record, played a significant role in shaping the convention's agenda. Alexander Hamilton of New York was also among the leading proponents advocating for a new frame of government.
Other notable delegates included Oliver Ellsworth, William Paterson, Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gorham, and Rufus King. The delegates represented a range of backgrounds and experiences, with some, like Madison, engaging in advance preparation by studying historical republics and confederacies. The delegates' discussions and debates addressed a variety of topics, including the role of the executive, the issue of slavery, and the division of federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
While some delegates actively participated in the convention, others, like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Patrick Henry, were absent due to their roles as ministers or their disagreement with the convention's purpose. Despite their varied backgrounds and perspectives, the delegates ultimately came together to create a model of government that relied on checks and balances, shaping the course of American history.
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The Articles of Confederation
Recognizing the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, delegates from the states convened in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the Constitutional Convention. The initial intention was to revise the Articles, but the delegates, including James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, sought to create a new framework of government. They elected George Washington of Virginia, a proponent of a stronger national government, as the president of the convention.
The delegates debated for months, representing diverse interests and views. Large states advocated for more representation in Congress, while small states sought equal representation. Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed a bicameral legislative branch, with equal representation for each state in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives. This proposal, known as the Connecticut Compromise, was adopted despite opposition from some delegates, including James Madison.
The delegates grappled with the contradiction between the core values of liberty and equality, as they debated the issue of slavery. They ultimately enshrined slavery within the new Constitution, making the states complicit in supporting the institution. Additionally, they included a fugitive slave clause without explicitly mentioning the words "slaves" or "slavery."
The delegates also discussed the election of the president, with James Wilson proposing popular election, which was rejected. Instead, a compromise was reached where the President would be elected by "electors" chosen by state legislatures or the people of their states. This proposal was reluctantly accepted by the delegates as the least problematic alternative.
The Constitutional Convention concluded on September 17, 1787, with 39 delegates signing the Constitution, marking a significant achievement in American history. The delegates created a powerful central government and set the terms for ratification, bypassing state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states was required to enact the new government, and the Constitution became law in 1789.
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The Connecticut Compromise
The delegates completed their work on the US Constitution in 1787. The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17 of that year. The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or the Sherman Compromise, was a crucial agreement reached during this convention.
The final vote on the Connecticut Compromise took place on July 16, 1787, with five states supporting the proposal, four opposing it, and one state, Massachusetts, being divided. This compromise was a setback for nationalists like James Madison, who believed it would compromise the character of the national government they envisioned. However, they eventually accepted the compromise, recognising the need to find a workable solution.
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Ratification and amendments
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a model of government that relied on a series of checks and balances by dividing federal authority between the Legislative, the Judicial, and the Executive branches. The delegates recognised that a major flaw with the Articles of Confederation was that any constitutional amendment required unanimous approval of the states. On July 23, the convention endorsed the need for a different way of amending the Constitution, but it was not prepared to vote on specifics.
The delegates, or representatives for the states, debated for months over what would be included in the Constitution. Some states were in favour of a strong central government, while others were opposed. Large states felt that they should have more representation in Congress, while small states wanted equal representation with larger ones. The delegates' commitment to principles of equality was limited. Most supported the imposition of property qualifications for voters in their individual states.
The convention debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States, making it one of the most significant events in American history. The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the convention. A number of these individuals did not accept or could not attend, and so 55 delegates attended the convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The founders set the terms for ratifying the Constitution. They bypassed the state legislatures, reasoning that their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacted the new government. After the ratification of the Constitution in 1789, the machinery of state had been designed, but not yet tested and put to use.
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Frequently asked questions
The delegates completed their work on the US Constitution on September 17, 1787.
39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution.
The delegates' ages ranged from 26 to 81.
The delegates debated various topics, including the form of government, the balance of power between the states and the central government, representation in Congress based on state size, the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, and the acceptance of slavery.
The Constitutional Convention was significant because it resulted in the creation of a new system of federal government, replacing the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution established a powerful central government with a system of checks and balances, dividing authority between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches.
