Constitutional Convention
Bird's Eye View
May, 1787, Philadelphia, PA.
55 delegates from 12 states met at the State House of Pennsylvania to address and revise the weaknesses of the federal government. Rhode Island did not attend. It was determined that the Articles of Confederation could not successfully be revised and the decision to draft a new constitution was needed to secure the survival of the union of states. |
Key-Notes
George Washington was chosen to serve as President of the Convention as his stature and respect made him the perfect person to oversee the proceedings. Delegates decided to hold the proceedings from the public as to secure secrecy and allow delegates to speak freely. Each state got one vote on issues brought to the floor for a vote.
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James Madison
James Madison, 36, was a delegate from the state of Virginia. Madison arrived at the convention well read on subjects such government, history, economics and politics. An advocate of a stronger federal government Madison drafted a plan of government that would strengthen federal authority, yet, maintain a system of checks and balances that limited federal powers and halted federal overreach of control over the independent states. Madison's contributions and authoring of the key structure of government has led to him being referred to as the "Father of the Constitution".
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Influential Thinkers
Ideas from the "Enlightenment Period" influenced American thinkers about politics, liberty and the role and purpose of government. The writings of french and English philosophers in the 18th and 17th centuries greatly influenced the American ideas that were put to paper in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence (Jefferson) and the US Constitution (Madison).
Origins of Constitutional Government
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