Changes

And there was one additional compromise required for slavery:  the new Congress could not ban the importation of slavery for 20 years, until 1808.

And there was one additional compromise required for slavery:  the new Congress could not ban the importation of slavery for 20 years, until 1808.

The Constitution was written through the use of the following committees, which illustrates how to organize a large group of people in order to accomplish a good result:<ref>http://www.usconstitution.net/constcmte.html</ref>

The Constitution was written through the use of the following committees, which illustrates how to organize a large group of people in order to accomplish a good result:<ref>http://www.usconstitution.net/constcmte.html</ref> Rules Committee (to set rules for the convention), First Committee of Eleven (delegates) (to resolve the issue of equal representation in the Senate), Committee of Detail (to draft the Constitution on terms agreed to by the Convention), Second Committee of Eleven (to consider issues of uniform duties and fees), Third Committee of Eleven (to address "tabled" and unresolved issues), and Committee of Style and Arrangement (to revise the style and arrangement of the Constitution).

: Rules Committee, appointed on May 25, 1787, in order to set rules for the convention, including Alexander Hamilton and Charles Pinkney

After all the compromises and hard work of the committees, most (but not all) of the delegates at the Convention agreed to the final version of the Constitution; 39 (out of the original 55) signed it on Sept. 17, 1787 (now honored annually as "Constitution Day").  The document began with a preamble which showed that the People were in charge: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union ... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

: First Committee of Eleven (delegates), appointed on July 2 in order to resolve the issue of equal representation in the Senate, including George Mason and William Paterson

Benjamin Franklin, upon leaving the convention (which had been conducted in secrecy), was asked by a member of the public what kind of government he created.  Franklin famously replied, "A Republic, if you can keep it."  Franklin was right that it requires constant hard work by many citizens to preserve our wonderful system of government, which is by and for the People.

Next it was sent to the states for ratification, and then the "fun" began.  There was bitter opposition by the Anti-Federalists who did not like the idea of a powerful new central government.  Powerful Founders were among the anti-Federalists: Samuel Adams, George Mason, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock.  

 

 

 

 

After all the compromises and hard work of the committees, most (but not all) of the delegates at the Convention agreed to the final version of the Constitution; 39 (out of the original 55) signed it on Sept. 17, 1787 (now honored annually as "Constitution Day").  Next it was sent to the states for ratification, and then the "fun" began.  There was bitter opposition by the Anti-Federalists who did not like the idea of a powerful new central government.  Powerful Founders were among the anti-Federalists: Samuel Adams, George Mason, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock.  

At the time, nearly every country in the world was a monarchy.  The new American government was the first of its kind.   

At the time, nearly every country in the world was a monarchy.  The new American government was the first of its kind.