Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It came into effect on March 4, 1789, after being ratified by nine states. The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and has been amended 27 times, most recently in 1992. While no one person can be credited with writing the Constitution, James Madison is often referred to as its \father\ due to his extensive contributions to the drafting process. Other key figures in the drafting of the Constitution include Gouverneur Morris, who is credited with writing the final draft, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Main authors | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay |
| Other authors | Gouverneur Morris, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams |
| Basis | Virginia Plan |
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What You'll Learn
The Committee of Detail and Committee of Style
The Committee of Detail was tasked with putting the decisions of the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention into writing. The committee referenced state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, plans submitted to the convention, and other available material to produce the first full draft of the Constitution. This draft included details that hadn't been previously debated, such as powers given to Congress. The committee also added the phrase "giving them aid and comfort" to the section on treason to narrow the definition. The two surviving preliminary drafts were written by Wilson or Randolph.
The Committee of Detail consisted of five members: John Rutledge (South Carolina), Edmund Randolph (Virginia), Oliver Ellsworth (Connecticut), James Wilson (Pennsylvania), and Nathaniel Gorham (Massachusetts). The committee disproportionately favoured the larger states, but it was geographically diverse. The committee's report conformed to the resolutions adopted by the convention, but the members also left their imprint of individual and collective judgments.
The Committee on Style and Arrangement, also consisting of five members, was responsible for kneading the Constitution into its final form. They condensed 23 articles into seven in less than four days. The members of this committee were: William Samuel Johnson (Connecticut), Rufus King (Massachusetts), Alexander Hamilton (New York), James Madison (Virginia), and Gouverneur Morris (Pennsylvania). Morris, in particular, made subtle changes to the language of the Constitution, which both Federalists and Republicans were able to appeal to in the early days of the republic.
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates signed the Constitution, making it the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, which had been America's first constitution but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The Constitution established a powerful central government and included seven articles that embodied the doctrine of the separation of powers.
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James Madison's groundwork
James Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" due to his extensive contributions to the drafting process. In 1787, he wrote an essay titled "Vices of the Political System", which outlined the flaws of the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution. Madison believed that the Articles of Confederation gave too much power to the states, resulting in disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade that threatened to tear the young nation apart.
Madison's essay and his work on the Virginia Constitution in 1776 laid the groundwork for the debates at the Constitutional Convention. He was a dominant force at the convention, taking notes that have become an indispensable source for historians. Madison also played a key role in the debates over the Constitution, advocating for a stronger central government to address the flaws he identified in the Articles of Confederation. He wrote many of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays defending the Constitution and promoting its ratification.
Madison is also known for his role in the creation of the Bill of Rights. He initially opposed making the inclusion of a bill of rights a precondition for the ratification of the Constitution, arguing that mere "paper barriers" were insufficient to protect basic rights. However, he later became an active proponent of a federal bill of rights, promising to support it during his 1788 campaign for a seat in the First Congress. In June 1789, he introduced a series of proposed amendments that formed the core of what became the Bill of Rights, emphasizing the role of public opinion in a republic. Madison's goal was to reconcile opponents of the Constitution and protect individual liberties.
Overall, James Madison's groundwork for the Constitution included his critical analysis of the Articles of Confederation, his active participation in the Constitutional Convention, his role in shaping the debates, and his contributions to the Bill of Rights. His efforts helped establish a stronger central government and protect the rights of citizens in the young nation.
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Gouverneur Morris's final draft
Gouverneur Morris, a Founding Father of the United States, played a significant role in drafting the final version of the US Constitution. He was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, responsible for crafting the final language of the proposed constitution.
Morris is often referred to as the ""Penman of the Constitution," reflecting his crucial role in shaping its language and structure. He is particularly known for authoring the Preamble, including the iconic phrase "We the People." Morris's contribution to the Preamble was significant, as it advanced the idea of a unified nation, with citizens of a single union of states, rather than individual states. This shift in perspective was a notable aspect of the Constitution.
During the Constitutional Convention, Morris was an active participant, delivering more speeches than any other delegate, with a total of 173. He advocated for a strong central government and was an outspoken opponent of slavery, arguing against it on moral grounds. Morris's influence extended beyond the Convention as well; he served as Washington's ambassador to France and proved valuable during the French Revolution.
In addition to his work on the Constitution, Morris had a notable political career. He represented New York in the United States Senate from 1800 to 1803 and chaired the Erie Canal Commission from 1810 to 1813. Morris's impact on the US Constitution and his subsequent public service make him an important figure in the early history of the United States.
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Alexander Hamilton's influence
Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the drafting of the US Constitution. He was a strong advocate for a strong central government, and he played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch. Hamilton was also instrumental in the Constitution's ratification and interpretation, leading the collaboration 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 US Constitution.
Hamilton was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and the only original signer of the Constitution from New York, although others added their names later. He was just 30 years old when he was selected to serve as one of New York's delegates, and he had spent years pondering the issues that the delegates would confront. Hamilton was a strong supporter of ratification, and his influence was particularly crucial in the New York ratifying convention in Albany. Without New York's support, the new government would inevitably split into separate confederacies. Hamilton presented a compelling case for ratification, and his arguments proved decisive in securing New York's endorsement.
Hamilton also made significant contributions to the economic aspects of the Constitution. He proposed that the government establish a steady revenue stream by taxing imported goods. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he organized the National Bank, the first US monetary system, the tax system, the Customs Service, and established the national debt. Additionally, he urged the federal government to assume the Revolutionary War debts of the 13 states, arguing that failing to do so would establish the federal government as a bad debtor. Hamilton's economic plans and policies laid the foundation for the country's financial systems and policies.
Hamilton's influence extended beyond the Constitution's creation and ratification. He helped establish the principle that courts have the right and responsibility to interpret the law, a cornerstone of the American legal system known as judicial review. Additionally, he wrote the bank's constitution when he helped found the Bank of New York, and this document inspired other banks to follow a similar model. Hamilton's ideas and contributions to the US Constitution and the nation's early financial and legal systems have had a lasting impact on the country's development and governance.
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John Jay's contributions
John Jay was one of the key figures in the drafting of the United States Constitution. He was a lawyer and diplomat from New York, and he served as the first Chief Justice of the United States. Jay 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 of the federal government.
Jay was part of the "Triumvirate" that led the drafting of the Constitution, along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" due to his extensive contributions, including being the primary author of the Virginia Plan, which formed the basis for much of the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, a strong advocate for a powerful central government, played a significant role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch.
Additionally, Jay's diplomatic skills were likely an important contribution to the Constitutional Convention. The process of drafting the Constitution involved intense debates and compromises between delegates with varying interests and views. Jay's ability to negotiate and find common ground would have been essential in navigating these discussions and building consensus among the delegates. He also contributed to the Federalist Papers, a series of essays defending the Constitution and explaining its principles.
Overall, John Jay's contributions to the United States Constitution were substantial and impactful. His legal and diplomatic expertise, advocacy for federalism, and role in drafting Article III helped shape the foundation of the American governmental system and the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Gouverneur Morris is often credited with writing the Constitution's final draft. Morris was responsible for creating much of the language and style of the document. He was an influential member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which condensed 23 articles into seven in less than four days.
James Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution". Madison played a significant role in the document's creation and helped lay the groundwork for the new government. He is credited with creating the Virginia Plan, which formed the basis of the Constitution's structure. He also proposed the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Other key figures in the drafting of the Constitution include Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
The US Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. It went into effect on March 4, 1789, after it had been ratified by conventions in nine states.
