Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution was written and signed by 39 delegates in 1787, years after the Revolutionary War. James Madison is known as the man who drafted the US Constitution, but there were many other influencers and writers who contributed to the document. The ideas of unalienable rights, the separation of powers, and the structure of the Constitution were largely influenced by European Enlightenment thinkers, like Montesquieu, John Locke, Edward Coke, and William Blackstone. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson had reservations about the existing forms of government in Europe, with Jefferson asserting that most European governments were autocratic monarchies and not compatible with the egalitarian character of the American people. Madison also made frequent reference to Blackstone, Locke, and Montesquieu, and was highly influential in his call for religious freedom, passing a statute in his home state of Virginia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Key Players | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, William Paterson, James Wilson, Roger Sherman, John Dickinson, George Mason, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson |
| Philosophical Influences | John Locke, Edward Coke, William Blackstone, David Hume, Magna Carta, Enlightenment rationalism, English common law |
| Number of Delegates | 55 |
| Number of Signatures | 39 (38 delegates and George Reed, who signed for John Dickinson) |
| Date Signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Number of Essays in the Federalist Papers | 85 |
| Date of First 10 Amendments (Bill of Rights) | October 17, 1788 |
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What You'll Learn
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington
James Madison is often regarded as the "Father of the Constitution." He was a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress and played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Madison's "Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress" provided valuable insights into the activities of Congress during the years leading up to the Revolution and the subsequent plans for a new federal Constitution. He also worked on George Mason's draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which was a pivotal step towards independence and the Constitution. Madison's "Virginia Plan of Government," which favoured strong central governance, served as the basis for the Constitutional Convention's debates.
Alexander Hamilton, a founding father who fought in the American Revolutionary War, was instrumental in drafting the Constitution. He served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and proposed ideas such as senators and executives serving for life with absolute veto power. Hamilton was also a key contributor to the Federalist Papers, writing over 50 of the 85 essays alongside Madison and John Jay. He played a crucial role in convincing New York to ratify the Constitution.
George Washington, a prominent figure in the American Revolution, provided essential guidance and leadership during the Constitutional Convention. He was unanimously elected as the convention president by the delegates, who represented diverse interests and views. Washington worked to forge consensus and ensure secrecy during the contentious debates. His commanding presence and influence were crucial in achieving agreement among the delegates, ultimately resulting in the creation of the Constitution.
Together, Madison, Hamilton, and Washington recognised the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the country's first constitution, which lacked enforcement powers and effectively regulating commerce. They feared their young nation was on the brink of collapse due to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. Their efforts, along with those of many others, led to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, which stands as one of the most enduring and influential constitutions in the world.
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The Federalist Papers
The authors of The Federalist Papers attempted to hide their identities due to Hamilton and Madison having attended the convention. However, astute observers correctly discerned the identities of Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. Establishing authorial authenticity of the essays has not always been clear. After Hamilton's death in 1804, a list emerged claiming that he alone had written two-thirds of the essays. Some believe that several of the essays were written by Madison (Nos. 49–58 and 62–63).
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William Paterson and the New Jersey Plan
The US Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, with a 39th signature added later. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government but ended up creating a new one. The Constitution stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
One of the key players at the Constitutional Convention was William Paterson, who helped author the New Jersey Plan. Paterson was one of five delegates from New Jersey and had previously served as the state's first attorney general. The New Jersey Plan was introduced at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and was one of two major competing proposals for the structure and functioning of the US government. It was put forth in June by Paterson, the head of the New Jersey delegation, and was intended to benefit small states such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
The New Jersey Plan consisted of nine resolutions. The first resolution advocated for a unicameral system of legislature, allowing for revisions to it. The second expanded Congress's powers, granting it the authority to collect import duties and raise taxes in certain ways. The third established the three-fifths rule, whereby three-fifths of the number of enslaved people in a state would be counted for determining its population for proportional representation in Congress. The fourth resolution provided for an executive branch made up of more than one individual, with a fail-safe mechanism for removal by a majority vote of the states. The fifth resolution called for a federal judiciary appointed by the executive branch.
The New Jersey Plan's most significant proposal was for equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature, in contrast to the Virginia Plan's proposal for proportional representation based on population. Paterson opposed proportional representation for fear that the interests of small states would be ignored. He wrote, "I would rather submit to a Monarch, to a despot, than to such a fate." The Virginia Plan generally favoured a stronger national government, while the New Jersey Plan retained more authority for the states.
On June 19, 1787, the delegates rejected the New Jersey Plan by a vote of seven states against, three in favour, and one divided. However, aspects of the New Jersey Plan were included in the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise. Paterson left the convention in late July but returned to sign the Constitution in September when parts of his proposal were included in the compromise. After the Constitution was ratified, Paterson became one of New Jersey's first senators and later an associate justice of the US Supreme Court.
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James Wilson and the single executive
James Wilson was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he played a crucial role in shaping the concept of a single executive, a principle that became a core tenet of the US Constitution. Wilson's vision for a unitary executive emerged from his understanding of civic virtue, influenced by the Scottish Enlightenment thinkers he studied, including Francis Hutcheson, David Hume, and Adam Smith.
Wilson's proposal for a single executive was driven by his belief in the importance of accountability and the prevention of tyranny. He argued that a single chief executive would be more accountable than a group, making it clear who was responsible for executive actions. This, in his view, would safeguard against tyranny and ensure prompt decision-making, consistency, and the ability to act swiftly in times of national emergency. Wilson's idea of a unitary executive faced initial resistance, with concerns that it might lead back to monarchy, having just gained independence from Britain.
The Constitutional Convention witnessed a clash of ideas, with Virginia Delegate Edmund Randolph advocating for an executive consisting of three people. Randolph argued that a single executive would grant too much power to one person, potentially leading to monarchy. Wilson countered by distinguishing between issues related to the British Parliament and those concerning the king, asserting that a triumvirate would lead to discord and complicate decision-making. Wilson's proposal ultimately prevailed, with seven states voting in favour and three against.
Wilson's influence extended beyond the single executive principle. He was an outspoken supporter of greater participatory democracy, strong national government, and proportional legislative representation based on population. Wilson's ideas formed the basis for the American presidency, and he actively shaped the presidency's structure, powers, and selection process. He served on the Committee of Detail, which produced the first draft of the Constitution, and his contributions to American democracy were significant, as he was the only person to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
James Wilson's advocacy for a single executive and his broader contributions to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 left an indelible mark on the US political system. His ideas shaped the executive branch and helped lay the foundation for the modern presidency, earning him recognition as the "principal architect of the executive branch" and a key figure in the creation of the US Constitution.
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The influence of political philosophers
The US Constitution was influenced by several political philosophers and their ideas. The philosophy underpinning the Constitution incorporated three major political doctrines: natural rights, republicanism, and constitutionalism.
The concept of natural rights was influenced by the English philosopher John Locke, who argued that personal liberty could coexist with political order. Locke's theory, outlined in his "Two Treatises on Government", refuted the divine right of monarchy and asserted that labour is the origin and justification for property. He believed that contract or consent is the basis for government and that personal freedom is paramount. These ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and, later, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789.
The influence of Locke's ideas, along with the optimism of the European Enlightenment, shaped the thinking of key figures such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. They concurred with Locke's view that laws, not men, should be the final sanction and that governments should be responsible to the governed. Adams, in particular, advocated for a constitution that balanced executive and legislative powers, with an independent judiciary as a check.
The philosophy of classical republicanism also played a significant role in shaping the Constitution. This doctrine emphasised the belief in natural rights and the importance of a strong union. The Framers of the Constitution brought these ideas to their deliberations, seeking to establish a coherent philosophy about the ends and means of government.
Another influence was Thomas Paine, whose pamphlet "Common Sense" was widely distributed during the debates on revolution. Paine's writings emphasised the importance of preserving individual rights and his critique of the Bible, "The Age of Reason", also contributed to the political discourse, despite being a source of controversy during his lifetime.
The Constitution was also influenced by the ideas of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, who collectively authored the Federalist Papers. These 85 essays explained the significance of the Constitution and sought to persuade states to ratify it. Madison, in particular, is known as the "father of the Constitution" for his driving role in the convention and his contributions to the Bill of Rights.
In conclusion, the US Constitution was shaped by a variety of political philosophies and thinkers, including Locke, Paine, Madison, Hamilton, and Jay. These individuals and their ideas on natural rights, republicanism, and constitutionalism had a profound impact on the political thinking of the Framers and the ultimate shape of the US Constitution.
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