Simone Lawson
The American Constitution was formed by 74 delegates (55 of whom attended sessions) at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Notable attendees included George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. The delegates were tasked with amending the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately decided to redesign the government. The Constitution was ratified by all states on May 29, 1790, with Rhode Island being the last state to approve the document.
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's role
George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the American Revolutionary Army, played a crucial role in the formation of the American Constitution. He was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Federal Constitutional Convention, which took place from May to September 1787. Washington's role as president of the convention was significant, as he worked to forge consensus among the delegates and ensure secrecy during their deliberations.
Washington had initially declined when selected as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention by the Virginia legislature. However, he eventually relented due to persistent pressure from prominent individuals who believed his presence was essential. As the president of the convention, Washington's commanding presence and influence were crucial in achieving a successful outcome. While he said little during the debates, his opinions and support for the Constitution carried significant weight.
During the convention, Washington provided guidance to the 55 state delegates who passionately debated the future of the United States. The delegates had gathered with the original intention of revising the Articles of Confederation, which were seen as inadequate in holding the country together. However, they ended up completely redesigning the government, creating a powerful central government.
Washington's support for the Constitution was evident in his private letters, such as his 17 September 1787 letter accompanying the document. In this letter, he expressed his desire to see the Constitution adopted, acknowledging its amendment provision as a viable method for future corrections. Federalists used Washington's image and support to promote ratification, and his signature on the Constitution carried great importance.
Washington's role in the formation of the American Constitution was a continuation of his involvement in the issues of governing after the Revolutionary War. As the first president of the United States under the new Constitution, he performed many "firsts," including the appointment of federal officials and members of the Supreme Court.
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Alexander Hamilton's influence
Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the formation of the American Constitution. Hamilton, who was just 30 years old at the time, served as one of three delegates from New York to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He had spent years pondering the issues the delegates would face.
Hamilton was a brilliant, ambitious former aide-de-camp and secretary to George Washington during the Revolution. Along with Washington and James Madison, he feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse due to the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but no power to enforce them, nor the ability to regulate commerce or print money.
Hamilton was no fan of the Articles of Confederation and believed they should be replaced by a stronger central government. He preferred a constitutional monarchy, citing the weakness of the Swiss federation as a warning. Although Hamilton's plan for a new form of government was not adopted, he played a role in creating the Constitution, particularly in its ratification and subsequent interpretation. He collaborated with Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers—a collection of 85 articles and essays written under the pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution.
Hamilton also argued against the inclusion of a bill of rights, believing that the new Constitution did not vest the federal government with power over individual liberties such as freedom of speech and the press. His position on press liberty became the law of New York and was later adopted by 24 other states, remaining influential until the 1960s. Hamilton's efforts to pass the Constitution and develop a sound monetary policy provided invaluable service to his nation, and he is remembered for his role in its formation and ratification, his broad interpretations of federal power, and his expansive economic programs.
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Madison's plan for a new federal government
James Madison was a key figure in the creation of the United States Constitution and is considered the leader in forming the American Constitution. Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, believed that the young country was on the brink of collapse due to the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but no enforcement powers, and could not regulate commerce or print money.
Madison, along with Hamilton, used the first half of the Federalist Papers to explain the flaws of the existing government under the Articles of Confederation. They argued for a more centralised and powerful national government, with Hamilton calling for "an enlightened zeal for the energy and efficiency of government". Madison summarised in Federalist 37 that both stability and energy were critical to good government.
Madison also believed in the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches as a way to check and limit federal power and prevent tyranny. He joined with Hamilton and John Jay to write a series of essays to turn public opinion towards ratification of the new Constitution, becoming a prime author of The Federalist.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention largely agreed with Madison and Hamilton's goal of a more centralised government, and the final Constitution created a powerful central government.
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Benjamin Franklin's proposal
Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was one of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was an 81-year-old man of many talents, including printing, publishing, science, public office, philosophy, and diplomacy.
Franklin's proposal at the convention was a compromise aimed at convincing the three delegates who had refused to sign the Constitution: Gerry, Randolph, and Mason. Franklin began his proposal by acknowledging the diversity of opinions among the delegates and the difficulty of finding common ground. He admitted that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of at present, but he remained open to changing his opinion with better information or fuller consideration.
> "I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise."
Franklin emphasized that despite the imperfections of the Constitution, he consented to it because he believed it was the best option available. He recognized the need for a general government and expressed doubt that any other convention could create a better Constitution. He also highlighted the importance of unanimity among the delegates, urging those with objections to set aside their personal interests for the greater good.
Franklin's proposal played a crucial role in securing the signatures of 39 delegates on the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware. Franklin's wisdom and experience helped bridge differences and paved the way for the creation of one of the most enduring and emulated constitutions in the world.
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Ratification by the states
The drafting of the United States Constitution began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had become inadequate in governing the young nation. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money.
The Constitutional Convention, which included figures such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, decided to completely redesign the government. The delegates debated for three months and ultimately created a powerful central government. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation, which was resolved by the Great Compromise, giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate.
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates signed the Constitution, marking the beginning of the ratification process. The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification, bypassing the state legislatures due to concerns about relinquishing power to a national government. Special ratifying conventions were held in each state, and ratification by 9 of the 13 states was required to enact the new government. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, faced opposition from the Anti-Federalists, who argued that the Constitution created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights.
The ratification process was a challenging one, with only six of 13 states initially reporting a pro-Constitution majority. The tide turned in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory, eventually leading to the required nine states ratifying the Constitution. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, officially ending government under the Articles of Confederation. All 13 original states eventually ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the last to do so on May 29, 1790.
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Frequently asked questions
The key leaders in forming the American Constitution were George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
George Washington was the fulcrum around which plans to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation often revolved. He was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia convention in 1787.
James Madison, along with Washington, Hamilton, and Jay, worked towards strengthening the federal government. He also sketched his plans for a new federal government and constitution in a letter to Washington.
The Constitution was ratified by 9 of the 13 states, with Delaware being the first state to do so on December 7, 1787. However, it was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
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