Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution is one of the most important legal documents in American history, serving as a blueprint for the federal government and guiding the country to this day. It was drafted and revised by several key figures in American history, including James Madison, Gouverneur Morris, James Wilson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and others. The Constitution was the result of a historic meeting in Philadelphia known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787 and was attended by 55 delegates, all of whom were men. These delegates were tasked with creating a stronger federal government that could operate more efficiently and effectively than the previous government under the Articles of Confederation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Principal Architect of the Constitution | Gouverneur Morris |
| James Madison | |
| George Washington | |
| Benjamin Franklin | |
| Alexander Hamilton | |
| Roger Sherman | |
| William Paterson | |
| George Mason | |
| Number of delegates appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Youngest delegate | Jonathan Dayton (aged 26) |
| Oldest delegate | Benjamin Franklin (aged 81) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
James Madison, the 'father of the Constitution'
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. He was born in 1751 into a prominent slave-owning planter family in Virginia. In 1774, he joined the Patriots, strongly opposed to British taxation. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. Dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, he helped organise the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly.
Madison's Virginia, or large-state, Plan, put forward through Governor Edmund Randolph, furnished the basic framework and guiding principles of the Constitution, earning him the title of "Father of the Constitution". He believed in the value of a strong government in which power was well controlled because it was well balanced among the branches. In Congress, he helped frame the Bill of Rights and enact the first revenue legislation. He also sponsored the first ten amendments to the Constitution, placing emphasis in the debate on freedom of religion, speech, and the press.
Madison made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. He took day-by-day notes of debates at the Constitutional Convention, which furnish the only comprehensive history of the proceedings. To promote ratification, he collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in the newspaper publication of the Federalist papers (he wrote 29 out of 85), which became the standard commentary on the Constitution.
In addition to his contributions to the Constitution, Madison is also known for his role in founding a major political party, the Republican or Jeffersonian Party, and for his influence on the early development of the nation. He was regarded as one of the most influential Founding Fathers, with historian J.C.A. Stagg writing that "in some ways... Madison was the most successful and possibly the most influential of all the Founding Fathers."
Emergency Powers: Congress, Constitution, and Executive Authority
You may want to see also
Gouverneur Morris, chief architect
Morris played a significant role in the Continental Congress, where he coordinated military reforms with George Washington and successfully defended him during a no-confidence vote. He was also an outspoken opponent of slavery and argued for religious freedom, giving more speeches than any other delegate at the Constitutional Convention.
As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Morris was a key member of the Committee of Style and is widely credited as the author of the Constitution's famous preamble: "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union...". This idea of a unified nation was significant because, at the time, most Americans identified as citizens of their individual states. Morris's contributions earned him the title Penman of the Constitution.
Morris also played a crucial role in removing pro-slavery language from the Constitution and enhancing national power and the presidency. His influence extended beyond politics, as he was well-known for his many affairs and social life, even recording his adventures and misadventures in his diary. Morris died on November 6, 1816, at his family estate, Morrisania, from internal injuries and an infection.
Senate vs Constitution: What are the Consequences?
You may want to see also
George Washington, elected president of the convention
George Washington was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. In 1787, Washington was persuaded to attend the Constitutional Convention, which met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 14 to September 17. The convention's goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were barely holding the new country together following independence from Great Britain. Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the convention.
Washington provided guidance to the 55 state delegates who gathered to debate the future of the United States. He created an atmosphere that allowed convention members to reach compromises necessary to create a new government. He remained relatively impartial, refraining from allowing his beliefs to influence the other delegates. Washington primarily participated to maintain order and cast deciding votes on numerous proposals.
Washington supported the creation of a stronger federal government and saw the Constitution as a living document that could be amended over time. He worked tirelessly to garner support for the ratification of the Constitution, sending copies to Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, as well as to the three most recent governors of Virginia. Washington's strong support convinced many to vote in favour of ratification, and by May 29, 1790, every state had ratified the Constitution.
Washington's attendance at the convention and subsequent presidency helped shape the course of the young nation. His leadership, honour, and patriotism inspired confidence and unity among the delegates, paving the way for the creation of the United States Constitution and its subsequent ratification. Washington's contributions as president of the convention were instrumental in laying the foundation for the government of the United States.
Sheriffs' Oath: Constitutional Commitment or Political Promise?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Alexander Hamilton, co-author of the Federalist Papers
Alexander Hamilton was one of the co-authors of the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written between October 1787 and May 1788. The essays were written under the pseudonym "Publius" and were published in various New York state newspapers. Hamilton wrote and published these essays to defend and explain the proposed United States Constitution to the people of New York, urging them to ratify it.
Hamilton collaborated with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers. The three authors initially contributed equally, but the latter half of the series is dominated by long segments written by a single author. Hamilton wrote the first 11 papers, and the series concluded with his papers published after Madison left for Virginia.
The Federalist Papers are often used today to interpret the intentions behind the drafting of the Constitution, as Hamilton and Madison were members of the Constitutional Convention. The essays explain the provisions of the Constitution in detail, providing valuable insight into the framers' thinking.
Hamilton's efforts to promote the ratification of the Constitution through the Federalist Papers were met with opposition. The idea of adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution was controversial, and the Federalist Papers notably opposed this concept. Despite this, the Federalist Papers played a significant role in influencing voters and shaping the understanding of the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton's contributions as a co-author of the Federalist Papers were significant. His writings provided detailed explanations and interpretations of the proposed Constitution, and his collaboration with Madison and Jay contributed to the formation of the United States' founding documents.
Jefferson's Constitution: Dynamic Interpretation
You may want to see also
Benjamin Franklin, the oldest delegate at 81
Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was a Pennsylvania delegate and was the convention's senior statesman, three times the age of the youngest delegate, Jonathan Dayton, 26. Franklin was a renowned polymath, a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. He was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the first postmaster general.
Franklin was born in 1706 in Massachusetts and had little formal education. He moved to Philadelphia, where he became a successful newspaper editor and printer, publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette at 23. He also published Poor Richard's Almanack under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders." Franklin was deeply involved in public affairs in Philadelphia, helping to establish a lending library, a hospital, and a college. He was also known for his experiments with electricity.
During the American Revolution, Franklin served in the Second Continental Congress and was part of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He also played a crucial role in negotiating the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War. In 1787, Franklin was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, which was his final significant act of public service. Despite his advanced age and infirmity, he urged his fellow delegates to support the heavily debated new document, the U.S. Constitution.
Franklin was an influential figure at the Convention, serving as an unofficial host for delegates and opening his garden to them. He also played a role in nominating George Washington as the convention's presiding officer. Franklin's wisdom and experience were respected, and he is recorded as making profound observations during the signing of the Constitution. He reflected on the rising sun painted behind the President's chair, noting that it represented the uncertain future of the nation.
Franklin died in 1790 at the age of 84, leaving a lasting legacy in American history. He was a key figure in the founding of the nation and made significant contributions to various fields, including politics, science, and literature.
Fruit and Veggie Servings: How Much is Enough?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
James Madison is known as the "father of the Constitution". He was a driving force behind the convention and came prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government. He also wrote the first 10 amendments that were adopted by the first Congress.
There were 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Roger Sherman, William Paterson, George Mason, and Gouverneur Morris.
The Constitution, along with the Declaration and the Bill of Rights, is based on the idea that all people have certain fundamental rights that governments are created to protect. These rights include common law rights, which come from sources like the Magna Carta, and natural rights, which the Founders believed came from God.
