Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, the first written constitution for any nation in the world, was proposed by the fifty-five delegates who met in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The Constitutional Convention was led by James Madison and George Washington, and it debated several plans, including the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and Alexander Hamilton's proposal for a powerful national government. The final version of the Constitution was prepared by a committee of style chaired by William Samuel Johnson, with Gouverneur Morris credited for providing the preamble phrase, We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Charles Pinckney |
| State | South Carolina |
| Date of Proposal | May 1786 |
| Committee Involvement | Committee of Detail, Committee of Style |
| Plan Name | The Virginia Plan of Government |
| Plan Proposer | Edmund Randolph |
| Plan Presenter | James Madison |
| Plan Date | May 29, 1787 |
| Plan Characteristics | Proportional representation, bicameral (two-house) legislature, strong national government with veto power over state laws |
| Other Notable Figures | James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Alexander Hamilton, John Rutledge, George Washington |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Virginia Plan
The Virginia delegates, led by Madison and George Washington, arrived in Philadelphia before the other delegates and drafted resolutions that served as a blueprint for the four months of debate that followed. Madison, who is often given chief credit for the plan, sketched it out in consultation with members of the Virginia and Pennsylvania delegations, particularly Randolph, who contributed substantial elements and officially presented the plan to the Convention on May 29, 1787.
Texas Constitution: Its Early Adoption and Legacy
You may want to see also
The Connecticut Compromise
One of the key issues facing the convention was the dispute between small and large states over representation in the new federal government. The Connecticut Compromise was offered by Connecticut delegates Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth to resolve this dispute. It defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution.
The compromise retained the bicameral legislature as proposed by Roger Sherman. This legislature consisted of a lower house, or House of Representatives, and an upper house, or Senate. The lower house would have proportional representation based on a state's population, while the upper house would have equal representation from each state, with each state having two members in the Senate. This dual system of representation was designed to balance the interests of both small and large states.
The First Steps to Constitution: Meeting Held
You may want to see also
The Committee of Detail
In preparing its draft, the Committee of Detail referenced state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, plans submitted to the convention, and other available material. The Constitution they helped create was an innovation of national government with federal characteristics, but much of it was drawn from models of Classical Antiquity and the British governmental tradition of mixed government. The Declaration of Independence also acted as an important guide for its summation of ideals of self-government and fundamental human rights. The writings of European political philosophers such as Montesquieu and John Locke were influential.
> To insert essential principles only; lest the operations of government should be clogged by rendering those provisions permanent and unalterable, which ought to be accommodated to times and events: and [...] To use simple and precise language, and general propositions, according to the example of the constitutions of the several states.
Rethinking the US Constitution: The Impactful Event
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Committee of Style
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a meeting of 55 delegates in Philadelphia that produced the first written constitution for any nation in the world. The convention faced the issue of whether to work within the guidelines set by Congress' resolution of February 21, 1787, that called for "the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation." However, the convention decided to consider more than just amendments to the Articles, and the Virginia delegation presented a drastically altered form of government.
The Virginia Plan, drafted by Virginia's governor, Edmund Randolph, and presented to the convention on May 29, 1787, provided for proportional representation in a bicameral (two-house) legislature and a strong national government with veto power over state laws. The plan became the basis for debate at the convention, which lasted for four months. The convention considered three other plans in addition to the Virginia Plan, including the New Jersey Plan, which proposed amendments to the Articles of Confederation that strengthened the powers of Congress while maintaining its basic structure.
Japan's First Constitution: Meiji Origins
You may want to see also
Ratification
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787, following a long and often bitter debate. Eleven states ratified the Constitution, which instituted a new form of government for the United States. The road to ratification was a complex one, with several key figures and proposals influencing the final outcome.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787, was a pivotal moment in the creation of the Constitution. The Convention was attended by 55 delegates, who rejected the existing Articles of Confederation and drafted a new Constitution with a much stronger national government. The Convention considered several plans, including the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and proposals from individuals such as Alexander Hamilton and Charles Pinckney.
The Virginia Plan, presented by Virginia Governor Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787, provided for proportional representation in a bicameral (two-house) legislature and a strong national government with veto power over state laws. It was designed to protect the interests of the large states in a strong, national republic and became the basis for much of the debate at the Convention. The Virginia delegates, led by James Madison and George Washington, played a significant role in shaping the discussions and the final outcome.
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by Charles Pinckney of South Carolina, called for amendments to the Articles of Confederation while maintaining the basic structure of the Articles and strengthening the powers of Congress. This plan was ultimately rejected by the Convention, moving the delegates towards the creation of a new government.
Alexander Hamilton, a delegate from New York, presented his own ideal plan of government on June 18, 1787. Hamilton's proposal included a very powerful national government, but it failed to gain support and was seen as going too far. Despite this, Hamilton's ideas and annotations influenced the work of the delegates and the final Constitution.
The process of ratification was not without its challenges. The nationalists, led by Madison, believed that ratification by the legislatures would be difficult as many state political leaders stood to lose power. They successfully argued that any new constitution should be ratified through conventions of the people, where ratification was more likely. Nine states were required to approve the Constitution, and on July 2, 1788, Congress received the news that New Hampshire had become the ninth state to do so, making the Constitution the law of the land.
The White House's First Residents: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first national constitution was proposed by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and introduced by Edmund Randolph, is considered the basis for the debate that followed.
The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral national legislature, or a legislature consisting of two houses, in which the "rights of suffrage" in both houses would be proportional to the size of the state.
The Virginia Plan included fifteen resolutions, such as the establishment of a National Judiciary, proportional representation in the legislature, and the protection of individual liberties.
Yes, the Convention considered four plans in total. The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, advocated for a unicameral (one-house) legislature with each state having a single vote. The Convention also heard a proposal from Alexander Hamilton, which outlined a powerful national government.
