Constitutional Convention in 1787

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was one of the…

By Staff , in Historical Events in the USA , at September 23, 2024 Tags: 1787, usa

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The Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 25 to September 17, 1787, was one of the most important events in American history. Its purpose was to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and to create a stronger, more effective national government. This gathering resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution, which laid the foundation for the federal government and remains the supreme law of the United States today.

Background: The Articles of Confederation and the Need for Reform
The Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781. They established a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government. The Articles gave limited power to the national government, which could not levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws directly. All major decisions required the approval of a supermajority (nine out of thirteen states), and any amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all states.

Problems Under the Articles: By the mid-1780s, it became clear that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate for managing the challenges facing the young nation. The federal government’s inability to collect taxes left it unable to pay debts from the Revolutionary War. Economic turmoil, including interstate trade disputes, inflation, and the inability to maintain a standing army, added to the crisis. One of the tipping points was Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787), an armed uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and the lack of federal response. This event alarmed many leaders, highlighting the need for a stronger central government.

The Convention Is Called
Annapolis Convention (1786): Prior to the Constitutional Convention, a smaller meeting, known as the Annapolis Convention, was held in September 1786 to discuss problems related to interstate commerce. Although only five states sent delegates, the participants, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, recognized that broader reforms were necessary. They called for a larger convention in Philadelphia to address the flaws of the Articles of Confederation.

Delegates and States: The Constitutional Convention convened on May 25, 1787, at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. Fifty-five delegates from twelve states attended (Rhode Island refused to participate). These delegates, often called the Founding Fathers, were among the most prominent political leaders of the time. George Washington, who had been a revered leader during the Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected as president of the convention. Other notable delegates included Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Roger Sherman.

Key Absences: Several prominent figures from the American Revolution were absent. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were serving as ambassadors in France and Britain, respectively. Patrick Henry, a vocal advocate for states’ rights, refused to attend, famously declaring, “I smell a rat.” His opposition was rooted in the fear of a strong central government that might infringe on states’ sovereignty.

The Debate: Compromises and Key Issues
The convention quickly moved beyond its initial goal of revising the Articles of Confederation and instead decided to create a new framework for government. The debates focused on several key issues, including the structure of the legislature, the balance of power between large and small states, and the institution of slavery.

1. The Virginia Plan vs. The New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan: Proposed by James Madison and presented by Edmund Randolph, the Virginia Plan called for a strong national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. It also proposed a bicameral (two-house) legislature with representation based on population, favoring larger states like Virginia. Under this plan, the national legislature would have the power to veto state laws and enforce its own laws directly on citizens.

New Jersey Plan: Smaller states, fearing domination by more populous states, rallied behind the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson. This plan advocated for a unicameral (one-house) legislature, with equal representation for each state, similar to the system under the Articles of Confederation. The New Jersey Plan aimed to preserve the sovereignty of the states while giving the national government the power to regulate commerce and raise taxes.

2. The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was brokered by Roger Sherman of Connecticut. This compromise resolved the dispute between large and small states by creating a bicameral legislature:

The House of Representatives would have proportional representation based on population, satisfying larger states.
The Senate would have equal representation, with each state receiving two senators, satisfying smaller states.
This compromise balanced the interests of both large and small states and was a pivotal moment in the convention.

3. Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise
Slavery was a contentious issue during the convention. Southern states wanted enslaved individuals to count fully toward their population numbers, which would increase their representation in the House of Representatives. Northern states, where slavery was less prevalent, opposed this.

The Three-Fifths Compromise settled this debate by counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for purposes of both representation and taxation. This compromise was deeply controversial but was seen as necessary to secure the support of Southern states for the new Constitution.

Additionally, the convention agreed to allow the continuation of the slave trade until at least 1808, after which Congress could ban it.

4. Executive Power: The Presidency
Another critical issue was the nature and power of the executive branch. The delegates debated whether the executive should be a single person or a committee and how the president would be chosen.

It was eventually decided that the executive would be a single president, serving a four-year term, with the possibility of re-election.
The president would be selected by an Electoral College, a compromise between direct election by the people and election by Congress.
The president would have the power to veto laws passed by Congress, though Congress could override a veto with a two-thirds vote.

The Final Document: U.S. Constitution
By September 17, 1787, after nearly four months of debate and compromise, the delegates had crafted the final version of the U.S. Constitution. It established a federal system with a separation of powers between three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial. The Constitution also included a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Ratification Process: The Constitution required ratification by at least nine states to go into effect. The process of ratification sparked intense debate across the country. Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued in favor of the Constitution and wrote the Federalist Papers to support ratification. Anti-Federalists opposed the new Constitution, fearing that it gave too much power to the central government and lacked protections for individual rights.

Bill of Rights: To address these concerns, James Madison and other Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution after its ratification. This promise helped secure the support needed to ratify the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments—was added in 1791, guaranteeing essential rights and liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

Legacy of the Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a monumental event that fundamentally reshaped the structure of American government. The U.S. Constitution, which emerged from the convention, established a strong federal system that balanced power between the states and the national government, protected individual liberties, and set a framework for the rule of law that has endured for more than two centuries.

The Constitution’s adaptability, through the amendment process, has allowed it to evolve over time, responding to changing political, social, and economic conditions. Its influence extends far beyond the United States, serving as a model for constitutional governance in countries around the world.

The Constitutional Convention remains one of the most important moments in the history of the United States, marking the creation of a government system that has lasted and thrived for over two centuries, continuing to define American democracy today.