Omar Bennett
Philadelphia was the birthplace of the US Constitution, which was drafted in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in 1787. The Constitutional Convention was convened to address the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation and to devise the first system of federal government. Fifty-five delegates from 12 states gathered in Philadelphia to debate and ultimately reject the Articles of Confederation, drafting the first written constitution in the world. Philadelphia was chosen as the site of the convention due to its historical significance as the city where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, establishing the United States as a permanent alliance of independent states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 25 to September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall), Philadelphia |
| Purpose | To revise the Articles of Confederation and devise the first system of federal government |
| Outcome | Creation of a new form of republican government with three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) |
| Participants | 55 delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Franklin |
| Result | 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with an additional signature by George Read on behalf of John Dickinson |
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What You'll Learn
Philadelphia hosted the Constitutional Convention in 1787
Philadelphia was chosen to host the Constitutional Convention in 1787 for several reasons. Firstly, it was the colonial capital of the United States during the American Revolution, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The city also had a reputation for being a geographically central location and was the biggest city in the country at the time, with a population of about 40,000 people. This made it a convenient and comfortable location for the delegates to reside, caucus, and dine.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was convened to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles, America's first constitution, 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. This led to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade that threatened to tear the young country apart.
The convention was initially intended to revise the Articles of Confederation and devise the first system of federal government. However, leading proponents of the convention, including James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, sought to create a new frame of government rather than simply revise the existing one. The delegates agreed to this approach by mid-June, and the convention ultimately resulted in the creation of a new form of republican government with separate, coequal executive, legislative, and judicial branches restrained by checks and balances.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was a significant event in American history, as it led to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, the world's oldest written national constitution still in use. The convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State House. Fifty-five delegates, representing all states except Rhode Island, attended the convention and created a powerful central government that resolved the issues plaguing the young nation.
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The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention, took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had established a weak central government with no enforcement powers, an inability to regulate commerce, and no ability to print money. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart.
The convention was attended by 55 delegates, representing all states except Rhode Island, and was held in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall. The delegates included some of the greatest minds of the day, such as James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and, for a while, Alexander Hamilton. Notable absentees included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and John Hancock. George Washington, former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, was elected to serve as president of the convention.
The delegates had gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, but by mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government. They agreed that the new constitution needed to strengthen the federal government at the expense of the states, with separate, coequal executive, legislative, and judicial branches restrained by checks and balances. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation—whether it should be based on population or divided equally among the states. They compromised by giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate.
The convention ultimately debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States, making it one of the most significant events in American history. The Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The Constitution also divided power between the federal government and the states, launching a new phase of the American "experiment" in republican government (representative democracy).
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The convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention, took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.
The choice of Philadelphia as the location for the convention was likely due to its status as the colonial capital of the United States and its central location. At the time, Philadelphia was the biggest city in the United States, with a population of about 40,000 people. The city offered boarding houses, such as the Indian Queen Tavern and the City Tavern, where the delegates could reside, caucus, and dine during the convention.
The Pennsylvania State House, or Independence Hall, holds significant historical importance as the site where both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were adopted. The building has been recognised for its role in shaping American history and government.
The convention was convened to address the problems arising from the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The delegates to the convention, including prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the federal government. However, as the convention progressed, the goal shifted from revising the existing system to creating a new form of government.
During the convention, the delegates engaged in debates and deliberations, ultimately drafting and signing the United States Constitution. The Constitution established a federal government with specific powers, including the authority to conduct relations with foreign governments. It introduced a system of checks and balances by dividing federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Constitution was ratified by the American people and came into operation in 1789, marking a significant event in American history and solidifying Philadelphia's role in the nation's founding.
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George Washington was elected president of the convention
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation and address the weaknesses of the central government. However, the delegates ultimately drafted and ratified the United States Constitution, creating a new system of government with separate and coequal executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
George Washington, a proponent of a stronger national government, was elected president of the convention. Washington, a former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, was a respected leader who shared the concerns of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and other Founders about the fragile state of the young nation. They feared that disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart, and Washington's presence at the convention carried significant weight.
Washington's role as president of the convention was crucial. He presided over the meetings, ensuring orderly deliberations and fostering a spirit of collaboration among the delegates. His experience and wisdom guided the discussions, helping to navigate the complex issues at hand. Washington's reputation and influence likely played a pivotal role in maintaining unity among the delegates, even when disagreements arose.
As president of the convention, Washington also held a symbolic significance. His presence lent credibility and legitimacy to the proceedings. Washington was a widely respected figure, having led the Continental Army during the Revolution and played a pivotal role in securing American independence. His participation in the convention signalled the importance and gravity of the task at hand, inspiring delegates to set aside their differences and work towards a unified vision for the nation.
Additionally, Washington's leadership extended beyond the convention itself. After the Constitution was ratified and came into effect in 1789, he was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. This continuity from the Constitutional Convention to the nation's executive branch emphasised the implementation of the principles enshrined in the Constitution. Washington's presidency marked a new era for the nation, guided by the framework established in Philadelphia.
In conclusion, George Washington's election as president of the Constitutional Convention was a pivotal moment in American history. His leadership, experience, and reputation helped steer the course of the convention, shaping the foundational principles of the United States government. Washington's role extended beyond the convention halls, as he later became the nation's first executive leader, embodying the ideals of the Constitution he helped bring to fruition.
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The convention resulted in a new form of government
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention, took place in Philadelphia from May to September 1787. The convention was assembled to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and could not print money. These issues, along with disputes among the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatened to tear the young nation apart.
The delegates to the convention, which included George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin, decided to create a new form of government rather than simply revise the Articles of Confederation. They sought to establish a federal government with more specific powers, including the power to conduct relations with foreign governments. The new government would have separate, coequal executive, legislative, and judicial branches restrained by checks and balances to prevent the abuses of power that had occurred under the state governments.
One of the fiercest arguments during the convention was over congressional representation. The delegates compromised by giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. They also agreed to count enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person and temporarily resolved the issue of slavery by allowing the slave trade to continue until 1808.
The convention resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, which established a powerful central government with more specific powers. The Constitution was ratified by the American people and came into effect in 1789, making it the world's oldest written national constitution still in use. The writing of the Constitution in Philadelphia's Independence Hall, along with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence there eleven years earlier, has led to the building's global recognition as a significant historical site.
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Frequently asked questions
Philadelphia was the colonial capital of the United States, and the Declaration of Independence was adopted there in 1776.
The convention was called to address the issues of a weak central government under the Articles of Confederation, which governed the United States at the time. The Articles were seen as more of a treaty between independent countries than a national constitution.
Fifty-five delegates attended the convention, including leading figures such as George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.
The delegates debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States, creating a federal government with three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) and establishing a stronger central government with more specific powers, particularly in foreign affairs.
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