Malcolm Rivera
The first draft of the United States Constitution was written in 1787, and while several notable figures attended the convention, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, it was James Madison whose ideas, notes, and proposals were instrumental in the final version of the Constitution. Madison is often referred to as the Father of the Constitution for his substantial contributions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 August 1787 |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania State House |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Notable attendees | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Pierce Butler |
| Writer of the first draft | James Madison |
| Other key contributors | James Wilson, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Number of articles | 23 |
| Number of amendments since 1789 | 27 |
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What You'll Learn
James Madison, the 'Father of the Constitution'
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. He is popularly acclaimed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his efforts.
Born on March 16, 1751, into a prominent slave-owning planter family in Virginia, Madison joined the Patriots in 1774, strongly opposed to British taxation. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. Dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, he helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen the republican government against democratic assembly.
Madison was an intellectual leader and keeper of the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787, which drafted the U.S. Constitution. He took comprehensive notes on the debates at the convention, which provide valuable insights into the proceedings. He also collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in publishing the Federalist Papers, a series of essays that helped promote ratification of the Constitution. Madison wrote 29 out of 85 of these papers, which became the standard commentary on the Constitution.
Madison's influence was crucial in securing Virginia's ratification of the Constitution. He was then elected to the new House of Representatives, where he sponsored the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments emphasized freedom of religion, speech, and press. Madison's theories advanced the rights and happiness of individuals, and he devotedly served the cause of civil and political liberty.
In addition to his contributions to the Constitution, Madison is also known for his complex stance on slavery. While he initially opposed the Constitution's 20-year protection of the foreign slave trade, he eventually accepted it as a compromise to gain the South's ratification. He supported the extension of slavery into the West during the Missouri crisis of 1819-1821, believing that it would improve the condition of slaves and accelerate emancipation.
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The Committee of Detail
On August 6, 1787, the Committee of Detail presented the first draft of the United States Constitution. The committee was chaired by James Wilson, a delegate from Pennsylvania, and consisted of John Rutledge (South Carolina), Edmund Randolph (Virginia), Nathaniel Gorham (Massachusetts), and Oliver Ellsworth (Connecticut). The committee was tasked with drafting the Constitution, and their work built upon the original Virginia Plan, the decisions of the convention on modifications to that plan, and other sources.
The first draft presented by the Committee of Detail consisted of a preamble and twenty-three articles, covering seven large pages. The draft included provisions for a bicameral legislature, composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate, and an executive branch with a President. It also established an independent judiciary with a Supreme Court and outlined the powers granted to Congress. The draft addressed issues such as the admission of new states, amendment procedures, ratification, and the establishment of the new government.
The earliest surviving version of the Constitution, known as the "first manuscript draft," was written and signed by James Wilson. It consists of four sheets, with a unique feature of listing all the states in the first line. This draft represents the beginning of the process that led to the finalization and ratification of the United States Constitution, which has since been amended numerous times to accommodate social and technological changes.
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The role of George Washington
George Washington played a crucial role in the drafting of the United States Constitution. A Revolutionary War hero and the first President of the United States, Washington was elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which was convened to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and establish a new scheme of government.
Washington's involvement in the Constitutional Convention was not something he actively sought. He had initially intended to retire to private life after the Revolutionary War and even declined the Virginia legislature's selection as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention. However, he was eventually persuaded by several prominent individuals, including James Madison, that his presence was essential.
As the president of the Convention, Washington worked to forge consensus among the passionate and divided delegates, who represented all states except Rhode Island. The delegates were a mix of Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and they fiercely debated the future of the young nation, including contentious issues such as state representation in Congress. Washington himself remained mostly silent during the debates, but his commanding presence and influence were instrumental in guiding the proceedings and achieving a final agreement.
Washington's support for the Constitution was significant. While he did not make many public statements, his private letters reveal his commitment to the document. He praised the amendment provision, which allowed for corrections to be made after the Constitution's implementation, and he signed the letter of September 17, 1787, from the Convention President to the President of Congress, which was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. This letter emphasised the spirit of amity and mutual concession that characterised the Constitutional Convention. Washington's endorsement carried significant weight, and it was challenging for Anti-Federalists to justify their opposition to ratification.
Overall, George Washington's role as the leader and unifier of the Constitutional Convention was vital to the creation and adoption of the United States Constitution. His presence and influence helped navigate the intense debates and forge a path toward a new system of government that would shape the future of the nation.
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The influence of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, a printer, inventor, scientist, and statesman, played a significant role in shaping the U.S. Constitution and the vision for the new nation. Even before the existence of the First Amendment, Franklin was a staunch advocate for the freedoms it would later embody, particularly freedom of the press.
Franklin was 81 years old and nearing the end of his life when the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place. Despite his advanced age, he actively participated in the convention, bringing his seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the creation of this pivotal document. Franklin was a strong supporter of American independence and had previously signed the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris. He was also instrumental in securing financial and military aid from the French King, which proved crucial in the fight against the British.
During the Constitutional Convention, Franklin helped console Thomas Jefferson during the contentious debates, and his influence extended beyond the convention hall. Despite being arguably the most accomplished writer at the convention, Franklin did not contribute to the actual writing of the final document. However, he played a crucial role in moving the process forward and encouraging the adoption of the document, despite its faults. Franklin understood the need for a strong central government to unite the loosely knit colonies and worked to bridge disagreements among the delegates.
In his closing speech to the convention, Franklin acknowledged his own reservations about certain parts of the Constitution but urged the delegates to set aside their differences and approve the document for the nation's good. This speech proved influential, and the delegates ultimately voted to adopt and release the Constitution to the public. Franklin's impact extended beyond the convention, as he continued to advocate for the Constitution's acceptance and played a role in shaping the vision of the new nation.
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The first official printed version
The first draft of the United States Constitution was written and signed by James Wilson, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from York, PA, and chair of the Committee of Detail. The committee was tasked with drafting the Constitution. The draft was presented on August 6, 1787, and consisted of a preamble and twenty-three articles covering seven large pages with a wide margin on the left for members to make notes. The twenty-three articles covered a range of topics, including introductions, the powers of Congress, the Executive and judiciary, interstate comity, and miscellaneous subjects such as the admission of new states and ratification.
The process of drafting the United States Constitution began with the Constitutional Convention, which was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, the Convention decided to abandon the Articles and create a new Constitution with a stronger national government. The Committee of Detail, chaired by James Wilson, was appointed to draft the Constitution. After Wilson revised Randolph's initial rough draft, a clean copy was sent to Philadelphia printers John Dunlap and David Claypoole, who printed the first copies of the draft.
The Constitutional Convention featured intense debates between delegates representing different states. One of the main points of contention was state representation in Congress, with more-populated states seeking proportional legislation and smaller states advocating for equal representation. Despite the disagreements, the delegates devised a federal system characterised by a complex system of checks and balances. The final Constitution was ratified by eleven states, instituting a new form of government for the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution", primarily wrote the first draft of the US Constitution. The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia in 1787, where delegates convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new framework for government.
Other key figures, such as George Washington, who presided over the convention, and Benjamin Franklin, played significant roles. Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry did not participate directly in the convention, with Jefferson being in France and Henry refusing to attend.
The first draft of the US Constitution was a significant step towards creating a new scheme of government, addressing the issues with the Articles of Confederation. It laid the foundation for a federal system characterized by a system of checks and balances, with debates around state representation in Congress.
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