Simone Lawson
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The three primary authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These three men were all delegates to the convention and played a leading role in drafting the document. James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution because of his extensive contributions to the drafting process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main authors | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay |
| Nicknames | Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" |
| Roles | Madison was the primary author of the Virginia Plan; Hamilton was a strong advocate for a strong central government; Jay wrote many of the Federalist Papers |
| Other key figures | Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Roger Sherman, Gouverneur Morris, William Paterson, James Wilson |
| Number of authors | 55 delegates attended the convention, but only 39 signed the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
James Madison, often called the Father of the Constitution
James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution", was a driving force behind the convention and the drafting process. Madison came well-prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government. He was the primary author of the Virginia Plan, which served as the basis for much of the Constitution, and played a key role in the debates over the Constitution. Madison also contributed to the Constitution by writing the first 10 amendments that were adopted by the first Congress, as well as an essay on the importance of the separation of church and state.
Madison also wrote many of the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays co-authored with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, which explained the significance of the Constitution and aimed to persuade states to ratify it. Madison refused to take sole credit for writing the Constitution, insisting that it was a compilation of several other ideas and beliefs on democracy.
Madison was elected the youngest delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1780. He was called back to the Continental Congress in 1787, joining 54 other state delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The delegates were elected by the states to revise the Articles of Confederation, the country's first written constitution. However, they soon realized that the Articles were fundamentally flawed and decided to create an entirely new document. The drafting of the Constitution was a long and difficult process, with delegates disagreeing on important issues such as the balance of power between the states and the federal government, the structure of the legislature, and the qualifications for voting and office holding.
Madison played a key role in crafting the Bill of Rights, which were a collection of amendments that were added to the Constitution to protect the rights of individuals and limit the power of the federal government. He also contributed to the Connecticut Compromise, which proposed that each state would be proportionally represented by population in the House of Representatives and by an equal number of votes in the Senate.
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Alexander Hamilton, a strong advocate for a powerful central government
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The three main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Alexander Hamilton was a strong advocate for a powerful central government. He played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch and is considered one of the most important thinkers in American history. Hamilton consistently took the side of greater federal power at the expense of the states, which placed him at odds with Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers. Jefferson, in particular, disagreed with Hamilton's support for a de facto central bank, arguing that no specific authorization for its establishment existed in the Constitution.
Hamilton's vision of a strong national government was shaped by his belief in the necessity of a benevolent dictator to prevent people from destroying each other. He argued that the Articles of Confederation were too weak to serve the nation effectively and that a stronger, more centralized system was required. Hamilton's ideas on centralization were not universally accepted, and he was criticized as a centralizer during the Jeffersonian era, with some accusing him of being a proponent of monarchy.
Hamilton's influence extended beyond his role in drafting the Constitution. He served as the first US Secretary of the Treasury, where he organized the National Bank, the first US monetary system, the tax system, the Customs Service, and established the national debt. Hamilton also authored 51 of the 85 installments of The Federalist Papers, which proved persuasive in securing the Constitution's ratification by the states. His interpretations of the Constitution, as set forth in The Federalist Papers, remain highly influential and continue to be cited in scholarly studies and court decisions.
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John Jay, wrote the Federalist Papers with Madison and Hamilton
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These three men were all delegates to the convention and played a leading role in drafting the document.
John Jay, who had been secretary for foreign affairs under the Articles of Confederation from 1784 until 1789, became the first Chief Justice of the United States in 1789. He stepped down in 1795 to accept election as governor of New York, a post he held for two terms, retiring in 1801.
Jay collaborated with Madison and Hamilton on The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 articles and essays written under the collective pseudonym "Publius". They were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. The Federalist Papers were published primarily in two New York state newspapers: The New York Packet and The Independent Journal. The authors distributed copies to members of the Constitutional Convention and to other friends and associates, but hundreds were left unsold.
Hamilton recruited Jay and Madison as collaborators for the project. Jay contributed five essays (Federalist Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 64) to the series. He also distilled his case into a pamphlet in the spring of 1788, An Address to the People of the State of New-York, which Hamilton cited approvingly in Federalist No. 85.
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Benjamin Franklin, the oldest delegate at 81
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The delegates were elected by the states to revise the Articles of Confederation, the country's first written constitution. However, the delegates soon realised that the Articles were fundamentally flawed and decided to create an entirely new document.
Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest delegate at the convention. He was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and played a significant role in the American Enlightenment. He was a renowned polymath, known for his expertise in numerous fields, including diplomacy, science, and invention. Franklin's wisdom and experience were invaluable to the Constitutional Convention. He had a strong commitment to democracy and individual liberties, which influenced the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Franklin's contributions to the convention were shaped by his diverse experiences and accomplishments. As an author and scientist, he brought a unique perspective to the discussions. His scientific inquiries, particularly in the field of electricity, demonstrated his belief in the power of knowledge and critical thinking. Franklin's diplomatic skills, honed through his involvement in the American Revolution and his work as a diplomat in France, contributed to his ability to navigate complex negotiations and foster consensus among the delegates.
Additionally, Franklin's commitment to individual liberties and his belief in the inherent equality of all people influenced the Constitution's protections of fundamental rights. He advocated for religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and the abolition of slavery. Franklin's ideas on government structure and the importance of a strong central government also informed the design of the new nation's governing document.
While Franklin's advanced age may have presented physical challenges, his presence at the Constitutional Convention was a testament to his enduring dedication to the founding principles of the United States. His wisdom, experience, and unwavering commitment to liberty left an indelible mark on the Constitution, helping to shape the future of the nation he helped create.
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Gouverneur Morris, primary author of the final draft
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. However, Gouverneur Morris, a Founding Father of the United States, is often credited with being the primary author of the final draft of the US Constitution.
Morris was born on January 31, 1752, and raised in Morrisania, New York. He came of age as the British were losing authority over the American colonies. A promising young scholar, he earned a scholarship to King's College (now Columbia University) at the age of twelve and graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees by 1771. He later studied law and was admitted to the bar. Morris was a member of one of New York's prominent Tory families, but he abandoned his British allegiances and devoted himself to the American revolutionary cause.
Morris was just 35 when he attended the Constitutional Convention, where he was highly instrumental in creating the language and structure of the Constitution. He was on the two central committees at the Convention: the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which was charged with editing the final text and details of the document, and the Committee on Postponed Parts or the Committee of Eleven, which crafted solutions to the intractable problems at the Convention, such as the selection of the presidency. Morris gave more speeches than any other delegate—a total of 173. He was also one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery among those present at the Convention.
Morris has been credited by most historians with authorship of the final version of the preamble, including changing the opening line from "We, the People of the States" to "We, the People of the United States." This earned him the nickname "Penman of the Constitution." While most Americans still thought of themselves as citizens of their respective states, Morris advanced the idea of being a citizen of a single union of states. James Madison, who often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," later described Morris's debating abilities and admitted that "the finish given to the style and arrangement of the Constitution, fairly belongs to the pen of Mr. Morris."
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
James Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" because of his extensive contributions to the drafting process. He wrote the Virginia Plan, which formed the basis for much of the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton was a key advocate for a strong central government and played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch. John Jay, along with Madison and Hamilton, wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of essays defending the Constitution.
Yes, there were 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention who contributed to the US Constitution. Some of the other key figures included Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Roger Sherman, and Gouverneur Morris.
The US Constitution was written to create a stronger federal government capable of operating more efficiently and effectively than the weak and ineffective government that had been in place under the Articles of Confederation.
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