Malcolm Rivera
The U.S. Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, was written and signed by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. The delegates were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states; Rhode Island refused to send any delegates. The authors of the Constitution were heavily influenced by the country's experience under the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first framework of national government. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, with Madison often referred to as the Father of the Constitution due to his extensive contributions to the drafting process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people involved | 55 delegates attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution |
| Age range | 26–81 |
| Roles | Madison, Hamilton, and Jay are often credited as the primary authors, but many other delegates also played a significant role |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Date | May 25 to September 17, 1787 |
| Purpose | To suggest changes to the Articles of Confederation, but the Articles were deemed fundamentally flawed, so an entirely new document was created |
| Challenges | Delegates disagreed on important issues such as the balance of power between states and the federal government, the structure of the legislature, and the qualifications for voting and office holding |
| Compromises | The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature with a Senate and a House of Representatives |
| Influences | The country's experience under the Articles of Confederation, ancient history, modern European states, and Iroquois Confederacy political concepts and ideas |
| Amendments | The Third Amendment (1791) prohibits the federal government from forcing individuals to provide lodging to soldiers in their homes during peacetime without their consent |
| The Fourth Amendment (1791) protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures | |
| The Eighth Amendment (1791) protects people from excessive bail or fines and cruel and unusual punishment | |
| The Ninth Amendment (1791) declares that individuals have other fundamental rights beyond those stated in the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The 55 delegates who signed the Constitution
The United States Constitution was the result of the collaborative efforts of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. These delegates brought with them diverse ideas, experiences, and backgrounds, which led to the compromises and debates that shaped the Constitution. The 55 delegates who attended the convention represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates. Of the 55 delegates, 39 actually signed the Constitution.
The delegates who attended the convention had a wide range of ages, with the youngest being Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, and the oldest being Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity. The delegates included individuals with experience in local, colonial, and state governments, and many had also taken part in the American Revolution, with seven having signed the Declaration of Independence and thirty having served on active military duty.
The creation of the Constitution was a collaborative effort, and while the contributions of Madison, Hamilton, and Jay are often emphasized, it is important to recognize that every delegate who attended the convention made important contributions. Other important figures who played a role in the creation of the Constitution include Roger Sherman, who helped bridge the gap between smaller and larger states, and James Wilson, who shaped the final provisions related to the judiciary.
The signing of the Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signatures were endorsed by 39 delegates, representing the 12 states, and included a brief declaration stating that their work had been successfully completed and that they subscribed to the final document. The signatures were grouped by state, arranged geographically from north to south.
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The Founding Fathers
Other important contributions were made by Roger Sherman, who helped bridge the gap between smaller and larger states, and James Wilson, who shaped the final provisions related to the judiciary. The Founding Fathers also included Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style and coined the phrase "We the People of the United States".
The drafting of the Constitution was a long and challenging process, with delegates disagreeing on issues such as the balance of power between states and the federal government, the structure of the legislature, and voting qualifications. They eventually reached compromises, resulting in a complex document with many ambiguities. The Constitution was then signed by 39 delegates and submitted for state ratification, marking a significant step in the founding of American democracy.
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The 'Triumvirate' of Madison, Hamilton and Jay
The United States Constitution was the result of the collaborative efforts of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. These delegates brought with them a diverse array of ideas, experiences, and backgrounds, which led to the compromises and debates that shaped the Constitution. While the contributions of many individuals were vital to the creation of the Constitution, the trio of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay are often credited as the primary authors.
Madison, Hamilton, and Jay were the authors of The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written under the pen name "Publius" to promote the ratification of the Constitution. The essays were published anonymously in various New York state newspapers between October 1787 and May 1788. Hamilton recruited Jay and Madison as collaborators for the project, and together they explained and defended the proposed Constitution to the people of New York, urging them to ratify the document.
The Federalist Papers are considered an important resource for interpreting the intentions of those who drafted the Constitution. This is because they explain the particular provisions of the Constitution in detail and because Hamilton and Madison were both members of the Constitutional Convention. Madison, in particular, claimed authorship of 29 of the essays, while Hamilton and Madison's supporters disputed the authorship of several others.
While Madison, Hamilton, and Jay played important roles in crafting the Constitution, it is important to recognize that they were not the only individuals involved. The other 52 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention also made significant contributions, including Benjamin Franklin, one of the oldest delegates, and Roger Sherman, who helped bridge the gap between smaller and larger states. Thus, the Constitution was truly the product of a group endeavor, with each delegate playing a vital role in shaping this important historical document.
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Benjamin Franklin, the oldest delegate
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention, aged 81. He was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Despite his age and frailty, Franklin was one of the most important contributors to the Constitution. He had previously been involved in editing the Declaration of Independence, which expressed the core principles on which the United States was founded.
Franklin's presence at the convention added legitimacy to the process and reassured the American people that the final product would be sound and effective. He was a strong advocate for a strong central government, and he played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch. In a speech at the convention, Franklin stated:
> "We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined different forms of those Republics... And we have viewed modern States all round Europe but found none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances."
Franklin recognised that most European governments were autocratic monarchies, which were incompatible with the egalitarian character of the American people. He also acknowledged the influence of American Indian political concepts and ideas on the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin is remembered as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a key figure in the American Revolution and played an instrumental role in the country's founding. Franklin's wisdom, experience, and ideas contributed greatly to the shaping of the Constitution and the establishment of American democracy.
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George Washington and other 'Founders'
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 25 to September 17, 1787. These delegates were appointed by 12 states (excluding Rhode Island) to suggest changes to the Articles of Confederation, which was the country's first written constitution.
The authors of the Constitution were heavily influenced by the country's experience under the Articles of Confederation, which had attempted to retain as much independence and sovereignty for the states as possible. However, the Articles were fundamentally flawed, and the writers of the Constitution soon realised that they needed to create an entirely new document.
Among the 55 delegates, George Washington is often credited as one of the writers of the Constitution. Washington was a prominent leader during the American Revolution and played a significant role in the founding of the United States. He was one of the oldest delegates at the Convention, and his presence added legitimacy to the process.
Other important figures who contributed to the creation of the Constitution include James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, often referred to as the "Triumvirate" that led the drafting. Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" due to his extensive contributions, including authoring the Virginia Plan, which served as the basis for much of the Constitution. Hamilton and Jay were key authors of The Federalist Papers, written to build public support for the Constitution and convince Americans of the necessity of a stronger federal government. Benjamin Franklin, one of the oldest delegates, also made significant contributions, as did Roger Sherman, who helped bridge the gap between smaller and larger states.
The drafting of the Constitution was a collaborative effort, and all 55 delegates played a role in shaping the final document. The delegates brought diverse ideas, experiences, and backgrounds, leading to the compromises and debates that shaped the Constitution. It is a testament to their foresight and wisdom that the Constitution has endured and adapted to the changing needs of the country.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1787.
39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787.
The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These three men were delegates to the convention and played a leading role in drafting the document.
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock were among those who did not accept or could not attend the convention.
The delegates were tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which was the country's first written constitution. However, they ended up crafting an entirely new framework of government.
