Eleanor Finch
Alexander Hamilton was a founding father of the United States and a key figure in the creation and ratification of the US Constitution. Hamilton was a delegate from New York to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he played a significant role in shaping the document that would become the US Constitution. Hamilton was an active participant in the debates and discussions that took place during the convention, and he even drafted his own proposal for a new form of government, which included provisions for senators and the executive to serve for life and for the executive to have an absolute veto. While his proposal was not adopted, Hamilton remained dedicated to the cause of creating a strong central government and a stable financial foundation for the nation. He was the only delegate from New York to sign the Constitution and went on to lead the campaign for its ratification, collaborating with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers, a collection of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 September 1787 |
| Location | Pennsylvania's State House (now called Independence Hall), Philadelphia |
| Type of meeting | Closed |
| Attendees | A group of men, including Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, James McHenry, George Washington, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, Edmund Randolph |
| Purpose | Signing of the U.S. Constitution |
| Outcome | Constitution signed by all members except Mr. Randolph, Mr. Mason, and Mr. Gerry |
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What You'll Learn
- Alexander Hamilton was a junior delegate from New York
- He was the only New York signer to the US Constitution
- Hamilton drafted a version of the Constitution, but it was never presented
- He recruited John Jay and James Madison to write The Federalist Papers
- Hamilton's efforts convinced New York to ratify the new Constitution
Alexander Hamilton was a junior delegate from New York
Hamilton had been a strong advocate for the convention, preferring a powerful central administration. However, he was outvoted by the other two New York delegates, who did not share his enthusiasm for a strong federal government to unite the thirteen states. Despite this, he played a role in creating the Constitution, and he was the only delegate from New York to sign it.
Hamilton's plan for a new form of government was not adopted, and his ideas about how to structure a federal government were rejected by his fellow delegates. Nevertheless, he liked the resulting Constitution enough to become its chief advocate. He wrote over half of the 85 essays known as the Federalist Papers, which were published in New York State newspapers to persuade readers to support ratification.
Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany was critical in achieving ratification in New York and, subsequently, the rest of the nation. He faced a group of 47 Anti-Federalists, and his supreme logic and persuasive abilities proved crucial in making the case for ratification.
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He was the only New York signer to the US Constitution
Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the creation and ratification of the US Constitution. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, and the only original signer of the Constitution from New York. The other two members of the New York delegation, Lansing and Yates, had withdrawn, leaving Hamilton as the sole representative from the state.
Hamilton played a crucial role in the development of the Constitution, advocating for a strong national government. He drafted a proposal for the Constitution based on the convention debates, which included a two-chamber legislature with the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the election of the president and senators through a complex multi-stage process. Hamilton's plan was not adopted, but he still contributed significantly to the final document. He also collaborated with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 articles and essays written under the pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton wrote more than half of these essays, covering topics such as the branches of government, taxation, and military matters.
After the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton worked tirelessly to ensure the ratification of the Constitution in New York and other states. He participated in the state convention in Poughkeepsie in June 1788, where he faced opposition from Anti-Federalists who wanted to amend the Constitution and maintain the state's right to secede. Hamilton's persuasive abilities and logical arguments proved crucial in securing the ratification. He also contributed to the interpretation and implementation of the Constitution, developing the concept of "implied powers" to justify actions by the federal government that were not explicitly mentioned in the document.
Hamilton's influence extended beyond the creation and ratification of the Constitution. He served as the first US Secretary of the Treasury under President Washington and played a significant role in shaping the country's economic policies. He proposed the establishment of a federal bank, the assumption of state debts by the federal government, and the creation of a steady revenue stream through taxation. Hamilton's efforts helped stabilize the economy and set the country on a path toward prosperity.
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Hamilton drafted a version of the Constitution, but it was never presented
Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Hamilton actively participated in the debates and discussions that shaped the Constitution. Although he advocated for a strong central government, some of his ideas were rejected by other delegates. Despite this, Hamilton remained a strong supporter of the final Constitution and became its chief advocate.
During the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton constructed his own draft of the Constitution, which he based on the convention debates. However, this draft was never presented to the other delegates. Hamilton's version included many features that were ultimately incorporated into the actual Constitution. For example, in his draft, the Senate was to be elected in proportion to the population, being two-fifths the size of the House. The president and senators were to be elected through a complex multi-stage election process, with electors choosing smaller bodies of electors. These officials would hold office for life but could be removed for misconduct. Hamilton's draft also granted the president an absolute veto power and gave the Supreme Court immediate jurisdiction over all lawsuits involving the United States. Additionally, it proposed that state governors be appointed by the federal government.
Hamilton's draft Constitution reflected his preference for a powerful central administration. He envisioned an energetic executive branch and a strong national defence, with the federal government holding significant authority. While his specific ideas about the form of government were not fully adopted, Hamilton's contributions to the debates and his advocacy for a strong central government influenced the final shape of the Constitution.
After the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton played a pivotal role in the ratification process. He was the only delegate from New York to sign the Constitution, as the other two delegates from his state had withdrawn. Hamilton then actively campaigned for the document's ratification in New York, which was a crucial step towards its national ratification. He collaborated with James Madison and John Jay on a series of 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers," published under the pseudonym "Publius." Hamilton wrote more than half of these essays, passionately arguing for the ratification of the Constitution. His persuasive abilities and logical arguments proved critical in gaining support for the Constitution, ultimately leading to its successful ratification.
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He recruited John Jay and James Madison to write The Federalist Papers
Alexander Hamilton was a delegate from New York to the Congress of the Confederation in Philadelphia after the Revolutionary War. He was also a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the U.S. Constitution. However, Hamilton disagreed with many aspects of the final draft of the Constitution. He was, however, instrumental in its ratification and interpretation, collaborating with John Jay and James Madison on The Federalist Papers.
Hamilton recruited John Jay and James Madison to write The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 articles and essays to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The authors wrote under the collective pseudonym "Publius". Hamilton supervised the entire project, enlisted the participants, wrote the majority of the essays, and oversaw the publication. Each author was responsible for their areas of expertise. Jay covered foreign relations, Madison covered the history of republics and confederacies, along with the anatomy of the new government, and Hamilton covered the executive and judicial branches, military matters, and taxation.
The Federalist Papers were published in various New York state newspapers, including The Independent Journal, The New York Packet, and The Daily Advertiser. The first essay, written by Hamilton, was published on October 27, 1787. Hamilton wrote 51 of the 85 essays, while Madison wrote 29, and Jay wrote 5. The Federalist Papers proved critical in achieving ratification of the Constitution in New York and the rest of the nation.
Hamilton's home state of New York was a source of intense opposition to the Constitution. However, he played a crucial role in the state's successful campaign for ratification in 1788. He faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, including Governor George Clinton, who wanted to amend the Constitution and maintain the state's right to secede. Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany was particularly notable, as he presented a persuasive case for ratification, despite being outnumbered by Anti-Federalists.
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Hamilton's efforts convinced New York to ratify the new Constitution
Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in convincing New York to ratify the new Constitution. In 1787, at the age of 30, he was selected as one of New York's delegates to the Constitutional Convention, tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates, including Hamilton, decided to scrap the Articles and create a new Constitution. Hamilton, who had witnessed the difficulties of governing with a weak central government during his service in the Revolutionary War, advocated for a stronger federal government.
Hamilton's efforts towards ratification began with his collaboration on "The Federalist Papers." Along with John Jay and James Madison, he wrote a series of 85 essays published under the pseudonym "Publius" in New York newspapers. Hamilton authored more than half of these essays, which provided a rational and eloquent defence of the Constitution. The essays addressed topics such as "Dangers from Dissensions Between the States," "Defects of the Present Confederation," and the "General Power of Taxation." "The Federalist Papers" played a critical role in gaining support for the Constitution across the country and in New York specifically.
At the New York Ratifying Convention in Albany in June 1788, Hamilton faced a challenging task. New York was a powerful state, and without its ratification, the new government would likely split. The convention saw 19 Federalist delegates, including Hamilton, facing 47 Anti-Federalists. Hamilton, a skilled attorney, presented his case for ratification over six weeks, speaking 26 times. He eloquently and passionately addressed the concerns of the Anti-Federalists, who feared the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government.
Hamilton's persuasive abilities, combined with the recent ratification by Virginia, helped sway the convention. On July 26, 1788, New York became the eleventh state to ratify the Constitution, ensuring the stability of the new government. Hamilton's efforts in New York and his contributions to "The Federalist Papers" were thus instrumental in achieving the ratification of the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Alexander Hamilton signed the Constitution in Philadelphia, in a closed meeting room.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The Constitutional Convention started in May 1787 and was held to draft a new form of republican government, replacing the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation.
George Washington presided over the Convention, with Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, James Wilson, and Gouverneur Morris in attendance.
Yes, Hamilton was a delegate from New York and helped draft the Constitution. He also wrote 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers, which were instrumental in securing its ratification.
