Constitutional Convention
"The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation." -Woodrow Wilson
America was founded upon the ideals of men and God. Years of tyranny and taxation without representation caused the American colonies to begin a movement for independence. A revolution took place and a government was established. Great and wise men formed a Confederation of States to begin their new nation. The Articles that kept the states confederated were weak, so that tyranny and taxation without representation could not be placed upon the citizens. After years of trouble many of these great men met again to establish a central government that could provide and care for the people of America while allowing its citizens to be free. A constitution was written, compromises made, and provisions established.
To protect the freedoms that the ragged colonial army had won, government needed to be empowered and established. A key idealist of the United States Constitution, James Madison said "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Men are not angels, mistakes have been made and history has shown the faults of government and man. The history of America is one of freedom, reform, and liberty. It is a land where men truly are equal, where no insignificant human being has ever been born, and where the pursuit of happiness lives in the heart of man, woman, and child. Studying America's history tells a story of the rise of Liberty, Freedom, and Democracy while demonstrating a nation capable of unifying its people and politics.
America was founded upon the ideals of men and God. Years of tyranny and taxation without representation caused the American colonies to begin a movement for independence. A revolution took place and a government was established. Great and wise men formed a Confederation of States to begin their new nation. The Articles that kept the states confederated were weak, so that tyranny and taxation without representation could not be placed upon the citizens. After years of trouble many of these great men met again to establish a central government that could provide and care for the people of America while allowing its citizens to be free. A constitution was written, compromises made, and provisions established.
To protect the freedoms that the ragged colonial army had won, government needed to be empowered and established. A key idealist of the United States Constitution, James Madison said "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Men are not angels, mistakes have been made and history has shown the faults of government and man. The history of America is one of freedom, reform, and liberty. It is a land where men truly are equal, where no insignificant human being has ever been born, and where the pursuit of happiness lives in the heart of man, woman, and child. Studying America's history tells a story of the rise of Liberty, Freedom, and Democracy while demonstrating a nation capable of unifying its people and politics.
Philadelphia Convention
The background of the Convention
The Philadelphia Convention (now also known as the Constitutional Convention, the Federal Convention, or the "Grand Convention at Philadelphia") took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to address problems in governing the United States of America, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation following independence from Great Britain. Although the Convention was purportedly intended only to revise the Articles of Confederation, the intention of many of its proponents, chief among them James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, was from the outset to create a new government rather than "fix" the existing one. The delegates elected George Washington to preside over the convention. The result of the Convention was the United States Constitution. The Convention is one of the central events in the history of the United States.
Importance of the Convention
The United States of America's most influential document, the Constitution, is the design of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. On September 17 of that year the Congress completed its work of revising the Articles of Confederation with the call to for states to ratify a new form of government. The Constitution Convention of 1787 included some of the greatest men in America. Men like George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin discussed the future of the once previous British Colonies, with the awareness that if their venture failed, so might their country.
The Constitution's predecessor, the Articles of Confederation, were designed in the conscious of the terrors of tyrants and the power of kings and rulers. For this reason the Articles created a weak central government in order to give power to the States and keep the national government from imposing upon its citizens. Although effective at its makers intent, the Articles left the national government too weak to act for itself. It was not capable of raising an army, printing money, or mediating the states. These limitations, including others, caused the states to finally agree to convene in Philadelphia to revise their government.
'Whatever may be the judgment pronounced on the competency of the architects of the Constitution, or whatever may be the destiny of the edifice prepared by them, I feel it a duty to express my profound and solemn conviction, driven from my intimate opportunity of observing and appreciating the views of the Convention, collectively and individually, that there never was an assembly of men charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives, or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them, than were the members of the Federal Convention of 1787.' (James Madison)
The Constitution's predecessor, the Articles of Confederation, were designed in the conscious of the terrors of tyrants and the power of kings and rulers. For this reason the Articles created a weak central government in order to give power to the States and keep the national government from imposing upon its citizens. Although effective at its makers intent, the Articles left the national government too weak to act for itself. It was not capable of raising an army, printing money, or mediating the states. These limitations, including others, caused the states to finally agree to convene in Philadelphia to revise their government.
'Whatever may be the judgment pronounced on the competency of the architects of the Constitution, or whatever may be the destiny of the edifice prepared by them, I feel it a duty to express my profound and solemn conviction, driven from my intimate opportunity of observing and appreciating the views of the Convention, collectively and individually, that there never was an assembly of men charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives, or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them, than were the members of the Federal Convention of 1787.' (James Madison)
Read the Constitution
Study the Constitution for Yourself
The Constitution of the United States of America, with the Bill of Rights and all of the Amendments; The Declaration of Independence; and the Articles of Confederation
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 12/24/2009)
Read and study the Constitution for yourself. Know why it is important to America and learn what it means for you. Includes the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation.
James Madison "Vices of the Political System of the United States"
A list of the grievances of the Articles of Confederation
1. Multiplicity of laws in the several states.
2. Mutability of the laws of the states.
3. Injustice of the laws of the states.
2. Mutability of the laws of the states.
3. Injustice of the laws of the states.
Virginia Plan
Major Points of the Virginia Plan (supported by the more populous states)
1. Legitimacy is derived from the people, based upon popular representation
2. Bicameral legislature
3. Executive size undetermined, elected and removed by Congress
4. National legislature overrides state laws
5. Judicial life-tenure, able to veto state legislation
6. Ratified by the Citizens
Presented by Madison and supported by the more populous states. Based on popular representation of individuals in contrast to the New Jersey Plans representation of states.
2. Bicameral legislature
3. Executive size undetermined, elected and removed by Congress
4. National legislature overrides state laws
5. Judicial life-tenure, able to veto state legislation
6. Ratified by the Citizens
Presented by Madison and supported by the more populous states. Based on popular representation of individuals in contrast to the New Jersey Plans representation of states.
New Jersey Plan
Major Points of the New Jersey Plan (supported by the less populous states)
1. Legitimacy from states, based on equal votes for each state
2. Unicameral legislature
3. Executive more than one person, removable by state majority
4. Judiciary has no power over the states, limited cases
5. Sovereignty remains with the states
6. Ratification by states
Presented by delegates concerned with the differing interests of the individuals in other states overriding the interests of individuals in their states. Supporters of the New Jersey Plan felt that if the Virginia Plan was put forth that the more populous states would have complete control over the less populous states undermining the state's sovereignty and interests.
2. Unicameral legislature
3. Executive more than one person, removable by state majority
4. Judiciary has no power over the states, limited cases
5. Sovereignty remains with the states
6. Ratification by states
Presented by delegates concerned with the differing interests of the individuals in other states overriding the interests of individuals in their states. Supporters of the New Jersey Plan felt that if the Virginia Plan was put forth that the more populous states would have complete control over the less populous states undermining the state's sovereignty and interests.
Constitutional Compromises
Compromises in forming the Constitution of the United States
1. Connecticut Compromise (sometimes called the Great Compromise)
- Two legislative bodies
- Senate representing the state
- House of Representatives representing the people as individuals
2. North/South compromises
- Slave importation would cease, but not for 20 years
- Three/Fifths Compromise
- Two legislative bodies
- Senate representing the state
- House of Representatives representing the people as individuals
2. North/South compromises
- Slave importation would cease, but not for 20 years
- Three/Fifths Compromise
Problems Fixed by the Constitution
The Articles of Confederation had many weaknesses fixed by the Constitution
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
-Congress could not levy taxes
-States could restrict commerce among states
-States could issue their own currency
-Executive not independent of Congress
-No judicial system
Solutions through the Constitution
-Congress has the power to levy taxes (Article I, Sec. 8)
-States cannot regulate commerce without consent of Congress (Article I, Sec. 10)
-States prohibited from coining money (Article I, Sec. 10)
-Independently elected president (Article II)
-Supreme Court and more (Article III)
-Congress could not levy taxes
-States could restrict commerce among states
-States could issue their own currency
-Executive not independent of Congress
-No judicial system
Solutions through the Constitution
-Congress has the power to levy taxes (Article I, Sec. 8)
-States cannot regulate commerce without consent of Congress (Article I, Sec. 10)
-States prohibited from coining money (Article I, Sec. 10)
-Independently elected president (Article II)
-Supreme Court and more (Article III)
Learn More about the Constitutional Convention
And the Founding of America
Preamble of the Constitution
'We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.'
Preamble of the Constitution of the United States
Preamble of the Constitution of the United States
View of the Constitutional Founders
Many people have very different views of the Constitutional Convention attendees. Some look upon them almost as demi-gods while others loathe and despise them.
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Members of the Constitutional Convention
Delegates attending the Constitutional Convention include the following:
Connecticut
- Oliver Ellsworth*
-William Samuel Johnson
-Roger Sherman
Delaware
-Richard Bassett
-Gunning Bedford, Jr.
-Jacob Broom
-John Dickinson
-George Read
Georgia
- Abraham Baldwin
- William Few
-William Houstoun*
-William Pierce*
Maryland
- Daniel Carroll
- Luther Martin*
- James McHenry
-John F. Mercer*
- Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Massachusetts
- Elbridge Gerry*
- Nathaniel Gorham
-Rufus King
- Caleb Strong*
New Hampshire
- Nicholas Gilman
-John Langdon
New Jersey
- David Brearley
-Jonathan Dayton
-William Houston*
- William Livingston
- William Paterson
New York
-Alexander Hamilton
-John Lansing, Jr.*
-Robert Yates*
North Carolina
-William Blount
-William Richardson Davie*
-Alexander Martin*
-Richard Dobbs Spaight
-Hugh Williamson
Pennsylvania
-George Clymer
-Thomas Fitzsimons
-Benjamin Franklin
-Jared Ingersoll
-Thomas Mifflin
-Gouverneur Morris
-Robert Morris
-James Wilson
South Carolina
-Pierce Butler
-Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
-Charles Pinckney
-John Rutledge
Virginia
-John Blair
-James Madison
-George Mason*
-James McClurg*
-Edmund Randolph*
-George Washington
-George Wythe*
Rhode Island
(Rhode Island did not send delegates to the convention.)
(*) Indicates members of the convention that did not attend.
- Oliver Ellsworth*
-William Samuel Johnson
-Roger Sherman
Delaware
-Richard Bassett
-Gunning Bedford, Jr.
-Jacob Broom
-John Dickinson
-George Read
Georgia
- Abraham Baldwin
- William Few
-William Houstoun*
-William Pierce*
Maryland
- Daniel Carroll
- Luther Martin*
- James McHenry
-John F. Mercer*
- Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Massachusetts
- Elbridge Gerry*
- Nathaniel Gorham
-Rufus King
- Caleb Strong*
New Hampshire
- Nicholas Gilman
-John Langdon
New Jersey
- David Brearley
-Jonathan Dayton
-William Houston*
- William Livingston
- William Paterson
New York
-Alexander Hamilton
-John Lansing, Jr.*
-Robert Yates*
North Carolina
-William Blount
-William Richardson Davie*
-Alexander Martin*
-Richard Dobbs Spaight
-Hugh Williamson
Pennsylvania
-George Clymer
-Thomas Fitzsimons
-Benjamin Franklin
-Jared Ingersoll
-Thomas Mifflin
-Gouverneur Morris
-Robert Morris
-James Wilson
South Carolina
-Pierce Butler
-Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
-Charles Pinckney
-John Rutledge
Virginia
-John Blair
-James Madison
-George Mason*
-James McClurg*
-Edmund Randolph*
-George Washington
-George Wythe*
Rhode Island
(Rhode Island did not send delegates to the convention.)
(*) Indicates members of the convention that did not attend.
Anti-Federalists: Small Republic
The Constitution faced difficult theoretical competition by the Anti-Federalists. The argument was largely based upon the size and power of the government if the Constitution was ratified. The Ant-Federalists were led by the writings of Brutus (Robert Yates) and Cato (George Clinton).
Their argument was:
Large Republics historically always failed
Large Republics don't work because of the diversity of opinion on the common good
Small Republics allow for more participation
In Large Republics citizens will not watch over their representatives the way they should
Their argument was:
Comments/Questions
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- izzface9005 izzface9005 Nov 19, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
- pretty good(:
i hope i can find enough info about all these guys
ugh i hate projects !
anyway thx this was helpful
-
Reply
- LordoftheFlies LordoftheFlies Jan 20, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
- Looks like a good start to a great topic
by Seth1492
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