Meeting Venue For The New Constitution

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal gathering that took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and laid the foundation for the government of the United States. The convention was convened to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak central government. Fifty-five delegates from various states, including prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, engaged in months of discussions, debates, and redrafting to create a new form of republican government. The result was the United States Constitution, a four-page document signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, marking a significant step towards strengthening the American government and addressing the challenges faced by the young nation.

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The Annapolis Convention

Twelve delegates from five U.S. states _(New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia) gathered to discuss and develop a consensus on reversing the protectionist trade barriers that each state had erected. The convention also touched on George Washington's plans concerning the waterways connecting the Potomac and the Ohio River. The group realized that the issue of trade touched upon many other aspects of the Confederation and that a future meeting with a broader scope would be necessary to adequately address the problems.

A report, authored by Alexander Hamilton of New York and adopted unanimously, proposed that a convention of all the states be held to address the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation. This report was issued to all states and the Confederation Congress, and it called for a convention to be held in Philadelphia the following year. This convention, known as the Constitutional Convention, took place from May to September 1787, and it resulted in the creation of an entirely new government and the drafting of the present federal Constitution.

The Pennsylvania State House

During the convention, the delegates debated and drafted the articles of the new Constitution. Some of the key issues discussed included the power of the central government, the number of representatives in Congress, and the method of electing representatives. The delegates also addressed nationality requirements and the process for amending and ratifying the Constitution. The final document, signed on September 17, 1787, was a four-page constitution that established the government of the United States.

George Washington presides

George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention, which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787. He was unanimously elected president of the convention.

The convention was attended by delegates from all states except Rhode Island. The delegates debated for months over what would be included in the Constitution. Some states favoured a strong central government, while others were opposed. Large states felt they should have more representation in Congress, while small states wanted equal representation with larger ones.

The delegates, or representatives of the states, debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution in closed sessions throughout the summer. Among the chief points at issue were how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected.

The final report of the committee, which became the first draft of the Constitution, was the first workable constitutional plan. The delegates continued to meet off and on until early September. Another month of discussion and relatively minor refinement followed, during which several attempts were made to alter the Rutledge draft. One important change that did make it into the final version included the agreement between northern and southern delegates to empower Congress to end the slave trade starting in 1808.

On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, establishing the government of the United States.

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James Madison's leadership

The meeting for the new Constitution, also known as the Constitutional Convention, was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787. The Constitutional Convention was attended by delegates from all states except Rhode Island.

James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, played a crucial leadership role in the creation of the Constitution. Madison was a dominant force at the Constitutional Convention, and his notes from the debates have been invaluable to historians. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution."

Madison's leadership in the drafting of the Constitution began even before the Constitutional Convention. In 1786, he proposed in the Virginia assembly that the Continental Congress be empowered to regulate commerce throughout the Confederation. This proposal led to the Annapolis Convention, where Madison and Alexander Hamilton issued a report calling for a convention of all states to revise the Articles of Confederation.

At the Constitutional Convention, Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, which called for a central government with three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—that would check and balance each other to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This plan laid the groundwork for the debates at the convention and was a significant step toward the creation of the Constitution.

Madison was also instrumental in building support for the Constitution after it was drafted. Along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, he authored the "Federalist Papers", a series of 85 newspaper articles that addressed concerns about the Constitution and explained how the new government would function. These papers are considered groundbreaking political philosophy and helped persuade the American people to support the Constitution.

Additionally, Madison played a crucial role in the creation of the Bill of Rights. Initially, he opposed the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, arguing that enumerating some rights but not others could imply that certain rights were not included. However, he eventually came around to the idea, recognizing that the Constitution would only be ratified with the promise of a Bill of Rights. Madison compiled a list of 19 proposals from the suggestions made during the states' ratification debates, which were then reworked into 12 amendments, 10 of which were ratified by the states.

Delegates from 12 states

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787, was attended by delegates from 12 states. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, which served as America's first constitution. However, the delegates ultimately rejected the Articles and drafted a new constitution.

The 12 states represented at the convention were:

• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maryland
• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Georgia
• New Jersey

The convention was originally scheduled to begin on May 14, 1787, but it was postponed due to the absence of delegates, as travel was difficult in the late 18th century. The convention eventually commenced on May 25, when a quorum of seven states was secured.

The delegates, or representatives of the states, debated for months over the content of the new Constitution. They discussed topics such as the balance of power between the state and central governments, political representation, commerce, and slavery. The final document, drafted in secret, was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with an additional signature added on behalf of an absent delegate, bringing the total to 39.

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