Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787. While James Madison is widely credited as the Founding Father who wrote the Constitution, he was not alone. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, and Benjamin Franklin were also among the group of men often credited with writing the Constitution. The document was engrossed (copied in a fine, clear hand) by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates who signed the constitution | 39 |
| Total number of delegates | 55 |
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Person who transcribed the document | Jacob Shallus |
| Time taken to transcribe the document | 40 hours |
| Payment for transcribing the document | $30 |
| Chief architect of the constitution | James Madison |
| Other key figures | Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin |
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What You'll Learn
- James Madison is widely credited as the Founding Father who wrote the U.S. Constitution
- Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison were the main authors
- Pennsylvania delegate Gouverneur Morris wrote most of the final text
- Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk, engrossed the document in a clear hand
- The U.S. Constitution was a collaborative effort of 55 delegates
James Madison is widely credited as the Founding Father who wrote the U.S. Constitution
James Madison is widely regarded as the Founding Father who wrote the U.S. Constitution. Madison is recognised as the chief architect of the document, which was created during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. However, it is important to acknowledge that Madison did not work alone in drafting the Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was attended by 55 delegates from 12 states, each bringing their own unique ideas, experiences, and backgrounds to the table. These delegates included notable figures such as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. The final text of the Constitution was a collaborative effort, shaped by the debates, compromises, and contributions of these delegates.
Alexander Hamilton, a strong advocate for a robust central government, played a significant role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch. He is also known for writing many of the Federalist Papers, which influenced the ideas expressed in the Constitution. John Jay, a lawyer and diplomat from New York, was instrumental in drafting Article III of the Constitution, which establishes the judicial branch.
While Madison is credited as the primary author, the ideas and principles within the Constitution were influenced by his careful study of other writers and philosophers throughout history. The document underwent nearly four months of arduous deliberation, revision, and compromise before its finalisation. Additionally, it is worth noting that the physical transcription of the Constitution was done by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, who was paid $30 for his efforts.
In conclusion, while James Madison is widely recognised as the Founding Father who wrote the U.S. Constitution, the document was a collective endeavour shaped by the insights and contributions of numerous delegates and thinkers. The Constitution remains a living testament to the foresight, wisdom, and collaborative spirit of those who crafted it.
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Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison were the main authors
The United States Constitution is a fundamental document of American democracy, providing the framework for the federal government and defining the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. It is considered one of the most influential documents in American history. The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and went into effect on March 4, 1789, after ratification by nine states.
While James Madison is widely credited as the Founding Father and primary author of the Constitution, he did not act alone. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison were the main authors among a group of Founding Fathers who were instrumental in drafting and shaping the Constitution. These three men played a leading role in the Constitutional Convention, a gathering of delegates from 12 states, where the Constitution was written and debated.
Alexander Hamilton, a state representative from New York and a member of the Federalist Party, is credited with the initial ideology expressed in the Constitution. He advocated for a strong central government and played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch. Hamilton also authored many of the Federalist Papers, which illustrated the flaws believed to be present in the Articles of Confederation.
John Jay, a lawyer and diplomat from New York, served as the first Chief Justice of the United States. He was a strong advocate for a federal system of government and played a crucial role in drafting Article III of the Constitution, which establishes the judicial branch.
James Madison, another key figure, desired a strong central government to provide order and stability. He proposed a middle ground that would support the supremacy of the national authority while maintaining state power in a subordinate role. Madison is recognized as the chief architect of the Constitution, and his ideas were influenced by his study of historical writers and philosophers.
In conclusion, while Madison, Hamilton, and Jay were the main authors, the Constitution was a collaborative effort involving dozens of delegates with diverse ideas and backgrounds. The final document was a result of compromises and debates, making it a testament to the genius and foresight of the Founding Fathers who crafted it.
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Pennsylvania delegate Gouverneur Morris wrote most of the final text
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 55 delegates. The Constitution establishes a federal government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It also guarantees certain rights to all citizens, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to due process of law.
The Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. While there were many authors of the Constitution, James Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his contributions to its structure and philosophical underpinnings. Other key figures in the drafting of the Constitution include Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
However, it was Pennsylvania delegate Gouverneur Morris who wrote most of the final text. Morris has been credited by most historians with the authorship of the final version of the preamble, including changing the opening line "We, the People of the States" to "We, the People of the United States." This idea of being a citizen of a single union of states was advanced by Morris, who also advocated for a strong central government. He served on the committee that wrote the final draft of the United States Constitution and was highly instrumental in creating the language and structure of the Constitution, earning him the nickname the ""Penman of the Constitution."
Morris was one of the few delegates at the Philadelphia Convention who spoke openly against domestic slavery. He also defended the right of anyone to practice their chosen religion without interference and argued to include such language in the Constitution. In addition, Morris defended the need for an energetic president, arguing that the president needed sufficient powers and independence to ward off legislative tyranny as the "guardian of the people."
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Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk, engrossed the document in a clear hand
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789, and established a federal government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. While James Madison is widely credited as the Founding Father who drafted the Constitution, he was not alone in its creation. Other key figures in the drafting of the Constitution include Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Gouverneur Morris.
The Constitution was the result of nearly four months of arduous deliberation and compromise among dozens of delegates from 12 states. These delegates brought a diverse array of ideas, experiences, and backgrounds, which led to the compromises and debates that shaped the Constitution. Among the 55 delegates, there were varying levels of involvement in creating the Constitution, but all played a role in developing the final product.
Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, was responsible for engrossing (transcribing) the final document in a clear hand. He completed this task over the course of about 40 hours and was paid $30 for his efforts. Shallus' transcription was an accurate representation of the draft created by the delegates, and it was this version that was signed and adopted on September 17, 1787.
The process of creating the Constitution involved a collaborative effort among the delegates, with Shallus playing a crucial role in producing the final engrossed document. His contribution ensured that the Constitution was presented in a clear and legible manner, ready for signing and adoption by the delegates.
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The U.S. Constitution was a collaborative effort of 55 delegates
The U.S. Constitution was indeed a collaborative effort of 55 delegates, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, and Benjamin Franklin. The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was attended by these 55 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not participate). The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates ended up drafting an entirely new form of government.
The delegates brought diverse ideas, experiences, and backgrounds to the convention, leading to numerous debates and compromises that shaped the Constitution. They disagreed on several key issues, including the balance of power between the states and the federal government, the structure of the legislature, and the qualifications for voting and office holding. Despite these differences, they reached compromises and created a complex document with many ambiguities.
While James Madison is often recognised as the chief architect of the U.S. Constitution, he did not work alone. Madison's ideas were influenced by his study of other writers and philosophers, and he worked closely with other delegates to refine the details of the document. Pennsylvania delegate Gouverneur Morris, for example, is credited with writing most of the final text, including the famous preamble.
The final document was transcribed by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, who created an accurate transcription of the draft over the course of about 40 hours. On September 17, 1787, the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates, marking the conclusion of their collaborative efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, transcribed the U.S. Constitution in a fine, clear hand over the course of about 40 hours.
James Madison is widely credited as the Founding Father who wrote the Constitution. Other key authors include Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, and Benjamin Franklin.
The 55 delegates from 12 states played a collaborative role in shaping the U.S. Constitution, bringing diverse ideas, experiences, and backgrounds that led to compromises and debates reflected in the final document.
The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention.
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, providing the framework for the federal government and defining the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution.
