The Framers: Constitution And Democracy Architects

The Framers of the Constitution, also known as the Founding Fathers, were the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. They were tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation but instead drafted a new constitution, which has served as the framework for the US government for over 200 years. The Founding Fathers were political leaders who had participated in the American Revolution and had extensive political experience. Notable Framers include George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson.

Explore related products

Money and Liberty: How the Framers’ Obsession with Protecting Your Money Shaped the Constitution

$9.99 $14.99

Original Intent and the Framers' Constitution

$24.75 $27.5

The Federalist Papers (Dover Thrift Editions: American History)

$7.14 $8

Against Constitutional Originalism: A Historical Critique (Yale Law Library Series in Legal History and Reference)

$17.01 $22

Liberty, Order, and Justice: An Introduction to the Constitutional Principles of American Government

$11.44 $14.5

The Hollow Core of Constitutional Theory

$35.5 $45

The Founding Fathers

The text of the Constitution reflects this vision, defining fundamental freedoms in general terms, such as "freedom of speech," "due process of law," "free exercise" of religion, and "equal protection of the laws." The Constitution also sets forth governmental powers in similarly broad terms, such as the authority of Congress to regulate "commerce... among the several states" and the role of the president in executing the laws.

Some of the most notable Framers include George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, James Wilson, and Gouverneur Morris. Washington, the commanding general in the American Revolution and the nation's first president, is often regarded as the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States. Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," played a pivotal role in drafting the document and promoting the Bill of Rights. Franklin, the oldest delegate at 81 years old, was known for his wisdom and diplomacy. Hamilton advocated for a strong central government and was a key author of the Federalist Papers. Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, which helped shape the legislative structure. Wilson played a significant role in drafting the Constitution and argued for the direct election of the President. Morris is credited with writing the Preamble and much of the Constitution's final text.

The Bill of Rights

The Founding Fathers of the United States were political leaders who participated in the American Revolution. They signed the Declaration of Independence, took part in the Revolutionary War, and established the Constitution. The Framers of the Constitution were delegates to the Constitutional Convention and helped draft the Constitution. The Founding Fathers were not unified on the issues of federal intervention in the economy, foreign policy, and slavery. They also disagreed on how much authority rested with the executive branch and the relationship between federal and state governments.

The Framers of the Constitution were visionaries who designed the Constitution to endure. They sought to address the specific challenges facing the nation during their lifetimes and establish foundational principles to guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The text of the Constitution reflects this vision, defining fundamental freedoms in general terms such as freedom of speech, due process of law, free exercise of religion, equal protection of the laws, and prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment. The Framers also set forth governmental powers in similarly broad terms, such as Congress's power to regulate commerce among the states and the president's duty to execute laws faithfully.

The Antifederalists, including Mason, Henry, Gerry, and Tucker, wanted more than a bill of rights and sought radical changes, especially in Massachusetts and Virginia. They rejected the work of the Philadelphia Convention and wanted a Second Convention. Madison, a Prudential Federalist, prevailed on the First Congress to adopt friendly alterations to the original Constitution, which were supported by President George Washington. The Framers understood the imperfections of majority rule and recognised the role of courts in addressing concerns related to political majorities and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

The Philadelphia Convention

The delegates to the convention, including prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, were tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation to create a stronger federal government. However, as the convention progressed, the delegates' goals shifted towards drafting a new constitution rather than simply revising the existing one. This shift in focus was influenced by proponents like Madison and Hamilton, who advocated for a new frame of government.

The convention was marked by intense debates and discussions, with delegates bringing a wealth of political and philosophical knowledge to the table. The sessions were held in secrecy, and windows were nailed shut to prevent the public from overhearing the proceedings. The delegates agreed on a general blueprint for a federal government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. They also addressed issues related to foreign affairs, granting the executive branch authority over routine matters while reserving important powers, such as treaty ratification, for the legislative branch.

Explore related products

Schools for Statesmen: The Divergent Educations of the Constitutional Framers

$54.99 $59.99

Founding Fathers: Brief Lives of the Framers of the United States Constitution?Second Edition, Revised

$29.98

Re-Framers: 170 Eccentric, Visionary, and Patriotic Proposals to Rewrite the U.S. Constitution

$68.9 $98

A Worthy Company: Brief Lives of the Framers of the United States Constitution

$10

The Federalist

$24.28 $30

Constitutional Framers: Not Philosophes, but Aristocrats

$0.99

The First Congress

The Framers of the Constitution were the political leaders who participated in the American Revolution. They signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the Revolutionary War, and established the Constitution. The Framers were delegates to the Constitutional Convention and helped draft the Constitution of the United States. The main Founding Fathers were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.

The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution due to its creation of a powerful central government and its lack of a bill of rights. However, the Federalists, including Madison, prevailed in adopting alterations to the original Constitution. The First Congress also dealt with issues such as the admission of Vermont, the establishment of the First Bank of the United States, and the Tariff of 1791, which triggered the Whiskey Rebellion.

The Original States

The original thirteen colonies or states that became the United States of America were: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Except for Rhode Island, these states appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention, which was held in Philadelphia.

The Founding Fathers of the United States were political leaders who participated in the American Revolution. They signed the Declaration of Independence, took part in the Revolutionary War, and established the Constitution. The Framers of the Constitution were delegates to the Constitutional Convention and helped draft the Constitution.

The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates, but only 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so unwell that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. The Founding Fathers who were delegates to the convention included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.

The Framers of the Constitution were visionaries who designed it to endure. They sought to address the specific challenges facing the nation during their lifetimes and to establish the foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The text of the Constitution reflects this vision, defining fundamental freedoms in general terms, such as freedom of speech, due process of law, and equal protection of the laws.

The Framers also understood that majority rule, while the best system of government, was imperfect. They knew that political majorities might enact laws that entrenched their authority and that prejudice and intolerance might lead majorities to ignore the needs of minorities. They intended courts to play a central role in addressing these concerns.

Frequently asked questions