The Constitution's Founding Authors: Who Wrote It?

The U.S. Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, was written and signed by 39 of 55 delegates in 1787, and ratified in 1788. These delegates were chosen by the state legislatures of 12 of the 13 original states. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These three men were all delegates to the Constitutional Convention, and they played a leading role in drafting the document. 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.

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The Committee of Detail

The committee referenced state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, plans submitted to the convention, and other available material to produce the first full draft. They also used the original Virginia Plan and the decisions of the convention on modifications to that plan. Much of what was included in this draft consisted of details, such as powers given to Congress, that hadn't been previously debated or included in any other plan before the convention. Most of these were uncontroversial and unchallenged, and as such, much of what Rutledge's committee included in this first draft made it into the final version of the Constitution without debate.

The committee added the phrase "giving them aid and comfort" to the section on treason to narrow the definition from more ambiguous phrases that had been proposed in the convention. They also decided mostly on issues that hadn't been deliberated but weren't likely to be contested. The committee's report conformed to the resolutions adopted by the convention, though on many clauses, the members of the committee left the imprint of their individual and collective judgments.

The two preliminary drafts that survive, as well as the text of the Constitution submitted to the convention, were in the handwriting of Wilson or Randolph. Randolph's statement in the preamble of the committee's report is often cited as evidence that the Constitution was deliberately written to be broad and flexible to accommodate social or technological change over time. He wrote:

> In the draught of a fundamental constitution, two things deserve attention: 1. 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; 2. To use simple and precise language, and general propositions, according to the example of the constitutions of the several states."

The Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787, resulted in the signing of the final draft of the proposed Constitution on September 17, 1787. The Constitution was then ratified on June 21, 1788.

The Committee of Style

On September 8, 1787, the Convention chose five members to serve on the Committee of Style: William Samuel Johnson, Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, and Rufus King. These individuals were responsible for refining the language and arrangement of the Constitution's articles, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the document.

The Constitution's creation was a collaborative effort, influenced by various sources and ideas and guided by the principles of checks and balances, federalism, and the protection of fundamental rights. The Committees of Detail and Style played vital roles in shaping the language and content of this foundational document, ensuring its adaptability and longevity.

The Connecticut Compromise

The Constitution of the United States was created during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The Constitution was the result of months of thoughtful deliberation, debate, and compromise among the delegates, with many individuals making important contributions.

One of the key compromises that emerged during the Constitutional Convention was the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or the Sherman Compromise. This compromise was offered by Connecticut delegates Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth to address the dispute between small and large states over representation in the new federal government. The Connecticut Compromise proposed a bicameral federal legislature with a dual system of representation.

Under the Connecticut Compromise, the upper house, or Senate, would have equal representation from each state, with each state having two members. On the other hand, the lower house, or House of Representatives, would have proportional representation based on a state's population. This meant that each state would have one representative for every 40,000 inhabitants, counting three-fifths of each state's enslaved population toward its total population. Additionally, all revenue measures, including money bills, would originate in the lower house.

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The Philadelphia Convention

Delegates from twelve of the thirteen original states participated in the convention, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send representatives. Many of these delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, had fought in the Revolutionary War and served in Congress. They elected George Washington , a proponent of a stronger national government, as the president of the convention.

The convention aimed to create a new system of government rather than simply revise the existing Articles of Confederation. Several plans were proposed and debated, including Madison's Virginia Plan and William Paterson's New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan was selected as the basis for the new government, which would consist of three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The delegates also debated issues such as representation, slavery, and civil rights, which set the stage for future conflicts and shaped American political dynamics.

The convention ultimately produced the United States Constitution, which established a federal government with more specific powers, including the authority to conduct foreign relations. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, marking a significant shift in American governance and emphasizing ideals such as federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

The Bill of Rights

The US Constitution is the result of the efforts of several key figures, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. These men, along with 38 other delegates, played a crucial role in shaping the country's foundational document.

The first eight amendments in the Bill of Rights outline specific protections, while the Ninth and Tenth Amendments address additional rights retained by the people and the powers of the federal government.

The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to accommodate soldiers, a right that was not afforded to citizens before the Revolutionary War when British soldiers could take over private homes. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens' privacy and property rights by requiring warrants for government searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment provides several due process protections for people accused of crimes, including the right to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, and the right against self-incrimination. The Sixth Amendment offers additional rights to the accused, such as the right to a speedy and public trial and an impartial jury.

The First Amendment, though not listed first in the original Bill of Rights, is often cited as one of the most important amendments. It guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to peaceful assembly. The Second Amendment, which is often a subject of debate, grants citizens the right to bear arms. The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to trial by jury in civil cases, while the Eighth Amendment protects citizens from excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment.

The Ninth Amendment clarifies that the rights listed in the Constitution do not deny or disparage other rights retained by the people, and the Tenth Amendment reinforces federalism by stating that the federal government only has the powers explicitly delegated to it by the Constitution.

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