Isabella Carter
Daniel Webster of Massachusetts was known as the Expounder of the Constitution due to his forceful and eloquent interpretations of the document. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was attended by 55 delegates, including George Washington, who was unanimously elected as its president, and James Madison, who was known as the Father of the Constitution. The Constitution was initially intended as a revision of the Articles of Confederation but ended up introducing a completely new form of government. The document was ratified by 9 of the 13 states, with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists emerging as two factions.
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What You'll Learn
- Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was called the Expounder of the Constitution
- The Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
- The convention was attended by 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 original states
- The convention was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitution was ratified by 9 of the 13 states, forming a new government
Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was called the Expounder of the Constitution
Daniel Webster was a prominent American politician and senator from Massachusetts who played a significant role in shaping the early United States. He was known for his strong advocacy for a strong national government and the Union during a time when the country was deeply divided between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Webster's support for a strong central government aligned him with the Federalist faction, which believed that a strong national government was necessary to address the challenges facing the nation.
Webster's oratory skills and his ability to interpret the Constitution earned him the moniker "Expounder of the Constitution". He was renowned for his eloquent and forceful speeches, which often interpreted the Constitution in a way that supported his political beliefs. Through his orations, Webster influenced public opinion and shaped the understanding of the Constitution during a pivotal time in American history.
Webster's influence extended beyond his role as Expounder of the Constitution. He also served in various political positions, including as a senator from Massachusetts and as Secretary of State under multiple presidents. He was a key figure in the Whig Party and played a significant role in shaping its policies and platform. Additionally, Webster was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and was known for his powerful anti-slavery speeches.
Overall, Daniel Webster's contributions as the Expounder of the Constitution and his political career had a lasting impact on the United States. His interpretations of the Constitution helped shape the country's understanding of this foundational document, and his political beliefs influenced the course of American history during the early 19th century.
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The Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
The Constitution of the United States was drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia. The Convention took place between May and September 1787, with 55 delegates from 12 states in attendance, aiming to address the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send delegates.
The delegates, also referred to as deputies or commissioners, were representatives of their respective states. The term “delegate” was used by some states, while others used “deputy” or “commissioner." Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, at 81, was the oldest member of the Convention, and Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, at 26, was the youngest. George Washington, who was unanimously elected as the Convention's president, oversaw the debates and provided a sense of direction.
The Convention was initially intended to discuss and make improvements to the existing Articles of Confederation. However, as the Convention progressed, the delegates agreed on the need for a new system of government rather than simply revising the Articles. James Madison of Virginia, also known as the "Father of the Constitution," played a crucial role in shaping the Convention. He arrived early and set the agenda with his “Virginia Plan,” which became the basis for the new government. Madison advocated for a strong central government with specific powers, including the authority to regulate foreign and interstate commerce and enforce federal supremacy.
Other key players at the Convention included Alexander Hamilton of New York, who later co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Madison, and George Mason of Virginia, who pushed for a Bill of Rights. Roger Sherman proposed the “Connecticut Compromise” to address the representation concerns of large and small states. While the Convention was fiery and intense, it ultimately led to the creation of the United States Constitution, which established a federal government with defined powers, including those related to foreign relations.
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The convention was attended by 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 original states
The US Constitution was drafted at the Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The convention was attended by 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 original states. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send any representatives.
The delegates were chosen by their respective state legislatures, and they were referred to as "deputies" or "delegates" during the convention. The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution but had proven ineffective in addressing the young nation's needs. The delegates soon began considering more significant changes, and ultimately, they created a new form of government.
The convention included several notable figures who played key roles in the creation of the Constitution. General George Washington, who had been unanimously elected as the president of the convention, provided a sense of focus and direction to the proceedings. James Madison of Virginia, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," was a driving force behind the convention and came prepared to address arguments against the creation of a new government. Alexander Hamilton of New York, a brilliant and ambitious political figure, also played a crucial role. He later wrote the Federalist Papers with Madison and John Jay to explain the significance of the Constitution and persuade states to ratify it.
Other notable attendees included Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, the oldest member of the convention at 81 years old; James Wilson of Pennsylvania, a distinguished lawyer; and George Mason of Virginia, the author of the Virginia Bill of Rights. The convention also included 34 lawyers and resulted in the creation of a new government for the United States, with the Constitution being submitted to Congress within days of its signing.
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The convention was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, which served as the United States' first constitution, was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. It was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789, when the present-day Constitution went into effect.
In the years following the Revolutionary War, several issues emerged that threatened to tear the young country apart. These included disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. The central government, which lacked the power to regulate commerce, levy taxes, or effectively support a war effort, was on the brink of economic disaster.
In September 1786, delegates from five states met at the Annapolis Convention and invited all states to a larger convention to be held in Philadelphia in 1787. On February 21, 1787, the Confederation Congress endorsed this convention for the "sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation". The convention was initially planned for May 14 but had to be postponed due to the absence of many delegates.
On May 25, 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states (excluding Rhode Island) gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates represented a range of backgrounds, including lawyers, politicians, and military leaders. They discussed several major issues, including representation, state versus federal powers, executive power, slavery, and commerce.
While most delegates assumed the convention's purpose was to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, the convention ultimately debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States, creating a new system of government. This was largely due to the influence of leading proponents of a new constitution, including James Madison of Virginia, who became known as the "father of the constitution," and Alexander Hamilton of New York.
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The Constitution was ratified by 9 of the 13 states, forming a new government
The Constitution of the United States was drafted at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in the State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The convention was called to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the young nation's needs. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.
The convention was attended by 55 delegates, including George Washington, who was unanimously elected as its president. James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution", was a driving force behind the convention and came well-prepared for arguments against the creation of a new government. Other notable attendees included Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, Alexander Hamilton of New York, and George Mason of Virginia.
The delegates began considering measures to replace the Articles of Confederation, and the first proposal discussed called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress with proportional representation based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch. The convention was fiery and intense, and the delegates had differing views on the role of government in the new nation. Eventually, parts of each individual's ideas were taken and put together to create the Constitution.
After the Constitution was drafted and signed, Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays explaining the significance of the Constitution to persuade states to ratify it. The ratification process was outlined in Article VII of the proposed Constitution, which called for ratification by two-thirds of the states, or nine of the thirteen states. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution because it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights.
The ratification campaign was challenging, and only six of the thirteen states initially reported a pro-Constitution majority. The tide turned in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory, eventually leading to the formation of a new government with the ratification of the Constitution by nine states.
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Frequently asked questions
Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was called the "Expounder of the Constitution" because of his forceful and eloquent orations interpreting the document.
James Madison, of Virginia, was called the "Father of the Constitution" because of his erudition and actual contributions to the formation of the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania, was called the "Sage of the Constitutional Convention".
