Jonah Patel
The US Constitution was drafted in 1787 by 55 delegates who came together in Philadelphia to make small changes to their current government, but ultimately created a new one. The proponents of the US Constitution, known as Federalists, believed that a centralized republic was the best solution for the future. James Madison, known as the father of the Constitution, was a driving force behind the convention, and wrote the first 10 amendments that were adopted by the first Congress. Other proponents include George Washington, Roger Sherman, William Paterson, and Alexander Hamilton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| President of the Constitutional Convention | George Washington |
| Father of the Constitution | James Madison |
| Proposal for a strong central government | James Madison |
| Proposal for a two-house Congress | George Mason |
| Proposal for a small, deliberative, and independent Senate | James Madison |
| Opposition to the Constitutional Convention | Samuel Hopkins |
| Author of the New Jersey Plan | William Paterson |
| Proposal for a single executive with absolute veto power | James Wilson |
| The Financier | Robert Morris |
| Proposal for the Connecticut Compromise | Roger Sherman |
| Leading Federalist | Alexander Hamilton |
| Leading Anti-Federalist | N/A |
| Oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention | Benjamin Franklin |
| Youngest delegate to the Constitutional Convention | Jonathan Dayton |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington: unanimously elected president of the convention
George Washington was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, the Federal Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia. The Convention met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 14 to September 17, 1787. Washington was initially reluctant to get involved in the creation of the Constitution, but he was persuaded to attend the convention and provide guidance to the 55 state delegates as they fiercely debated the future of the United States.
Washington's presence provided a sense of focus and direction to the convention. He helped oversee the debate and forge consensus among the delegates, who held passionate and conflicting views as federalists and anti-federalists. Washington himself believed in the need for a stronger central government and a single executive leader. However, he remained relatively quiet during the debates, allowing delegates to form their own opinions and only participating to keep order and provide deciding votes.
Washington's honor and patriotism influenced the design of the presidency, and he was able to define the office more clearly once he was elected as the first president of the United States. He sought to unite the nation and protect the interests of the new republic, implementing executive authority and quieting fears of presidential tyranny. Washington was unanimously elected by all 69 presidential electors who cast their votes, and he took office on April 30, 1789.
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James Madison: wrote the first 10 amendments and the Federalist Papers
James Madison is known as the "father of the Constitution". He was a driving force behind the Constitutional Convention, coming prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government. Madison wanted a strong central government to provide order and stability. He believed that a "middle ground" could be taken to "support a due supremacy of the national authority" while maintaining state power.
Madison wrote the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which make up the Bill of Rights. These amendments list specific prohibitions on governmental power and were written in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties. Although Madison believed that individual rights were fully protected by the Constitution, he recognized that drafting a Bill of Rights was politically imperative.
In 1787, Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays published in New York state newspapers. These essays were written to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. The Federalist Papers were written anonymously under the pen name "Publius". Madison wrote fewer than 20 of the essays, including Federalist No. 10, in which he argued that private rights and the public good would be best protected in a single large republic rather than a mélange of small republics. This essay cemented Madison's reputation as a nationalist and a political genius.
The Federalist Papers were also used to defend the Constitution from critics. Alexander Hamilton noted that the "artillery of [the Constitution's] opponents makes some impression". In mid-October 1787, Hamilton enlisted the help of Madison and John Jay to write a series of essays defending the Constitution. The first of these Federalist essays was published in a New York newspaper, under the pseudonym Publius, on October 27, 1787.
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Alexander Hamilton: wrote 51 Federalist essays
Alexander Hamilton, a British-American politician, lawyer, and military officer, was a Founding Father of the United States and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Hamilton is known for writing 51 of the 85 essays in the Federalist Papers, which were published in New York state newspapers between October 1787 and May 1788. The Federalist Papers were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The essays were published under the pseudonym "Publius" and explained the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger national government.
The Federalist Papers were a collaborative effort between Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Madison, also a Founding Father and known as the "Father of the Constitution", contributed to 29 essays, with 12 of the remaining essays' authorship being disputed by scholars. The essays were first published in The New York Packet and The Independent Journal and were later reprinted in other New York state newspapers and several out-of-state newspapers.
The Federalist Papers were written in response to the Anti-Federalists, who published essays and articles under pseudonyms like Brutus, Cato, and the Federal Farmer in New York newspapers, critiquing the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists demanded amendments to protect individual liberties and opposed the amount of power given to the federal government. Hamilton's Federalist essays aimed to defend the Constitution and explain its provisions in detail, arguing for its ratification as a replacement for the Articles of Confederation.
Hamilton's efforts in writing the Federalist Papers were instrumental in building momentum for the ratification of the Constitution. By mid-January 1788, five states had ratified the document, and the Federalists were gaining support. The Federalist Papers were later recognized by Thomas Jefferson as the "best commentary on the principles of government ever written."
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George Mason: advocated for a Bill of Rights
George Mason was a Founding Father, an American planter, politician, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. He was concerned about the amount of power being given to the federal government and the convention's unwillingness to end the slave trade. He famously said, "I would sooner chop off my right hand" than sign the Constitution without a Bill of Rights.
Mason believed that a republic had to begin with a formal, legally binding commitment that individuals had inalienable rights that were superior to any government. He wanted the freedoms and rights of the country's citizens to be specifically stated. This belief was influenced by the writings of English Enlightenment philosopher John Locke.
Mason's advocacy for a Bill of Rights was not without impact. Although he did not sign the Constitution, his desire for a Bill of Rights was eventually realised in the first ten amendments to the Constitution, referred to as the Bill of Rights. James Madison, a fellow Virginian, introduced the Bill of Rights during the First Congress in 1789, and these amendments were ratified in 1791, a year before Mason died.
Mason's writings, including substantial portions of the Fairfax Resolves of 1774, the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and his Objections to this Constitution of Government (1787) opposing ratification, have had a significant influence on American political thought and events. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Mason principally authored, served as the basis for the United States Bill of Rights, and he has been deemed a father of this document.
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Roger Sherman: proposed the Great Compromise
The US Constitution was drafted during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. General George Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the convention. Other proponents of the US Constitution included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, who together wrote the Federalist Papers—a series of 85 essays explaining the significance of the Constitution.
One of the core staples of the American government, the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or the Sherman Compromise, was proposed by Roger Sherman. The Connecticut Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution.
The convention reached a deadlock on July 2, 1787, over the proposal to grant each state an equal vote in the upper house. This resulted in five states in favour, five opposed, and one divided. A committee consisting of one delegate from each state was formed to reach a compromise. On July 5, 1787, the committee submitted its report, which became the basis for the "Great Compromise" of the Convention. The report recommended that each state should have an equal vote in the upper house and proportional representation in the lower house.
Roger Sherman proposed a bicameral legislature, which was included in the Connecticut Compromise. Under his proposal, each state would have two members in the upper house or Senate, and proportional representation of the states in the lower house or House of Representatives. Sherman's proposal was modified by Benjamin Franklin to make it more acceptable to the larger states. He added the requirement that revenue bills originate in the House.
The Connecticut Compromise was a compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan, proposed by Edmund Randolph of Virginia, advocated for legislative voting based solely on proportional representation. The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey, called for each state to have equal representation in Congress, regardless of population. The Connecticut Compromise retained the bicameral legislature proposed by Sherman and required the upper house or Senate to be weighted equally among the states, while the lower house or House of Representatives would have proportional representation of the states.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison, often referred to as the "father of the Constitution", was a leading Federalist and a driving force behind the convention. George Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention, and his presence provided a sense of focus and direction. Other key proponents include Roger Sherman, William Paterson, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
The proponents of the US Constitution, known as Federalists, argued in favour of a centralized republic and a strong central government to provide order and stability. They believed that a centralized government was the best solution for the future and would prevent anarchy.
The Constitutional Convention resulted in the creation of a new government, with 55 delegates coming together to make small changes to their current government. The convention also produced the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, which outlined the freedoms and rights of citizens.
