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[[Image:Constitution.jpg|right|300px]]

[[Image:Constitution.jpg|right|300px]]

The '''Constitutional Convention''' was held between May and September 1787 in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] to deal with the glaring weaknesses with the [[Articles of Confederation]]. Rather that revise the Articles of Confederation, the delegates at the Convention quickly decided to replace it with a new constitution. Famous patriots in attendance included [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[James Madison]], [[John Jay]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[George Washington]], [[George Mason]]. Absent were [[John Hancock]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[John Adams]], and [[Patrick Henry]].

The '''Constitutional Convention''' was held from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] to deal with the glaring weaknesses with the [[Articles of Confederation]]. Rather that revise the Articles of Confederation, the delegates at the Convention quickly decided to replace it with a new constitution. Famous patriots in attendance included [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[James Madison]], [[John Jay]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[George Washington]], [[George Mason]]. Absent were [[John Hancock]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[John Adams]], and [[Patrick Henry]].

With [[George Washington]] presiding, the 55 delegates met in secret in Philadelphia and drafted a new document. Rather than revise the current Articles, Madison promptly declared that any confederacy was doomed to failure. The Constitution was approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.  After intense debate all 13 states ratified (some with the provision that a [[Bill of Rights]] be added) and the new government took office in March, 1789, with George Washington as the first president.

With [[George Washington]] presiding, the 55 delegates met in secret in Philadelphia and drafted a new document. Rather than revise the current Articles, Madison promptly declared that any confederacy was doomed to failure. The Constitution was approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.  After intense debate all 13 states ratified (some with the provision that a [[Bill of Rights]] be added) and the new government took office in March, 1789, with George Washington as the first president.

By 1785, newspaper essayists and petitioners in favor of national trade policies were demanding a vigorous, expanding, interdependent continental economy. They envisioned a national union whose primary purpose was to create a continental marketplace that could operate free of obstruction by contrived, and unnecessary, provincial entities.  Washington spoke for many American nationalists dismayed at the national weakness and loss of national pride. He knew that the Revolution had nearly been lost because of the impotence of the national government; Washington feared that the nation might not be so fortunate during the next emergency.<ref>Ferling; ''A Leap in the Dark'' p 258-9.</ref>

By 1785, newspaper essayists and petitioners in favor of national trade policies were demanding a vigorous, expanding, interdependent continental economy. They envisioned a national union whose primary purpose was to create a continental marketplace that could operate free of obstruction by contrived, and unnecessary, provincial entities.  Washington spoke for many American nationalists dismayed at the national weakness and loss of national pride. He knew that the Revolution had nearly been lost because of the impotence of the national government; Washington feared that the nation might not be so fortunate during the next emergency.<ref>Ferling; ''A Leap in the Dark'' p 258-9.</ref>

In the late 1780s, a crisis of self-confidence shook the new nation. Was its government strong enough to guarantee internal cohesion and to provide for the common defense against outside enemies (such as Britain and Spain), or indeed to defend against internal revolts (such as [[Shays Rebellion]] in Massachusetts, in 1786–87)?  <ref>Morris, (1987) p. 266</ref>  Other issues led to the [[Mount Vernon Conference]], which was held in Washington's home.

In the late 1780s, a crisis of [[self-confidence]] shook the new nation. Was its government strong enough to guarantee internal cohesion and to provide for the common defense against outside enemies (such as Britain and Spain), or indeed to defend against internal revolts (such as [[Shays Rebellion]] in Massachusetts, in 1786–87)?  <ref>Morris, (1987) p. 266</ref>  Other issues led to the [[Mount Vernon Conference]], which was held in Washington's home.

The nationalists met at the 1786 [[Annapolis Convention]], which originated from a series of commercial meetings among the northeastern states. Some historians see it as an unsuccessful experiment in reforming the [[Articles of Confederation]]. Others emphasize that the nationalists at Annapolis, especially [[Alexander Hamilton]] of New York and [[James Madison]] of Virginia, used it to call for the Philadelphia convention. The Annapolis experience led Madison and the other nationalists to consider designing a new federal political system with a powerful central government. The report of the Conference, sent to Congress, requested "the appointment of Commissioners, to meet at Philadelphia on the second Monday in May next."

The nationalists met at the 1786 [[Annapolis Convention]], which originated from a series of commercial meetings among the northeastern states. Some historians see it as an unsuccessful experiment in reforming the [[Articles of Confederation]]. Others emphasize that the nationalists at Annapolis, especially [[Alexander Hamilton]] of New York and [[James Madison]] of Virginia, used it to call for the Philadelphia convention. The Annapolis experience led Madison and the other nationalists to consider designing a new federal political system with a powerful central government. The report of the Conference, sent to Congress, requested "the appointment of Commissioners, to meet at Philadelphia on the second Monday in May next."

Leading nationalists, led by Washington, Hamilton, and [[Benjamin Franklin]] called for a new constitution. The old Congress (based in New York) agreed and called the states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. This convention, over the course of the summer, drew up a new constitution that was submitted to Congress and eventually to state ratification conventions for approval. James Madison, who arrived in Philadelphia early to map out an initial plan for debate, is called "the father of the Constitution." <ref>Morris (1987) pp 267-97.</ref> Madison took copious notes of the debates, which he refused to release until the last delegate was dead; they were published posthumously.<ref>Farrand (1911) p xv. The implication is that Madison did not want commentators using his notes to discover what the delegates meant by various provisions.</ref>

Leading nationalists, led by Washington, Hamilton, and [[Benjamin Franklin]] called for a new constitution. The old Congress (based in New York) agreed and called the states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. This convention, over the course of the summer, drew up a new constitution that was submitted to Congress and eventually to state ratification conventions for approval. James Madison, who arrived in Philadelphia early to map out an initial plan for debate, is called "the father of the Constitution." <ref>Morris (1987) pp 267-97.</ref> Madison took copious [[Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787|notes of the debates]], which he refused to release until the last delegate was dead; they were published posthumously.<ref>Farrand (1911) p xv. The implication is that Madison did not want commentators using his notes to discover what the delegates meant by various provisions.</ref>

Political parties did not exist in 1787 and were not mentioned in the Constitution. In each state, factions competed for control of the legislatures and the governorships. Because the states controlled their representatives to Congress, a geographically based factionalism pitting the different states against one other existed in the Continental Congress. The factions in the different states had little in common; politics did not cross state lines and no coalitions were formed that crossed state lines. Many nationalists feared Congress was too weak.<ref>McDonald, (1965), pp 17-32 on Congress; pp 33-132 covers each state.</ref>

Political parties did not exist in 1787 and were not mentioned in the Constitution. In each state, factions competed for control of the legislatures and the governorships. Because the states controlled their representatives to Congress, a geographically based factionalism pitting the different states against one other existed in the Continental Congress. The factions in the different states had little in common; politics did not cross state lines and no coalitions were formed that crossed state lines. Many nationalists feared Congress was too weak.<ref>McDonald, (1965), pp 17-32 on Congress; pp 33-132 covers each state.</ref>

==Conflicts==

==Conflicts==

===National vs State Government===

===National vs State Government===

In general, many of the Founders preferred local [[Self-government]] and quite often referred to the new government they were forming as a "general government" instead of a "national government".<ref>The phrase "general government" appears in the transcript of Madison's Notes of the convention 34 times, and "national government" is explicitly struck out twice.</ref>

In general, many of the Founders preferred local [[Self-government]], and during the debates quite often referred to the new government they were forming as a "general government" instead of a "national government".<ref>The phrase "general government" appears in the transcript of Madison's Notes of the convention 34 times, and "national government" is explicitly struck out twice.</ref>  Additionally as one member (Sherman) noted, an importance for an equality of votes in the Senate was explicitly to preserve the states and give them a negative on the activities of the general government.<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_714.asp Madison Debates July 14], "Mr. SHERMAN urged the equality of votes not so much as a security for the small States; as for the State Governments which could not be preserved unless they were represented and had a negative in the General Government."</ref>

====Nationalists====

====Nationalists====

These delegates, notably Hamilton, wished to see most power in a central government, at the expense of the states.

Other delegates, notably Hamilton, wished to see most power in a centralized government, at the expense of the states.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=1GfMQlHQl0YC&pg=PA100 The Principles of Constitutional Government: Political Sovereignty], "Hamilton's proposed plan called for the subjugation of the States.  He candidly confessed that he would prefer to abolish the states completely, but was willing to tolerate their existence if they could be controlled completely by a centralized government."</ref>  The Hamilton Plan, a plan which was not even debated when it was proposed, was viewed by the delegates as outright abolishing the states altogether into one nationalized governmental body.  First proposed in a long dissertation on June 18th, Hamilton returned the following day and stated the following:

 

====State's Rights====

====State's Rights====

====Solution: Federalism====

====Solution: Federalism====

[[Federalism]] was adopted, which provides a supreme, yet constricted national government with a small set of nineteen [[Enumerated powers]], leaving the bulk of the remaining powers in the hands of sovereign states.

[[Federalism]] was adopted, which provides a supreme, yet constricted general government with a small set of nineteen [[Enumerated powers]], leaving the bulk of the remaining powers in the hands of sovereign states. On August 6th, the first appearance of the draft Constitution, the opening phrase "We the People" had not yet been fully developed.  The final version refers to "We the People" of the "United States", but the original draft contained the names of all thirteen sovereign states and referred to "We the People" within those states.<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_806.asp Madison Debates, August 6], We the people of the States of New Hampshire, Massachussetts, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, do ordain, declare, and establish the following Constitution for the Government of Ourselves and our Posterity.</ref>

===Small states versus large===

===Small states versus large===

The majority of the speeches and debating come from Founders Gouverneur Morris, Elbridge Gerry, Charles Pinckney, James Wilson, George Mason, John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, and James Madison himself.

The majority of the speeches and debating come from Founders Gouverneur Morris, Elbridge Gerry, Charles Pinckney, James Wilson, George Mason, John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, and James Madison himself.

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

* McDonald, Forrest. ''The Formation of the American Republic, 1776-1790'' (1965), by a leading conservative historian

* McDonald, Forrest. ''The Formation of the American Republic, 1776-1790'' (1965), by a leading conservative historian

* McLaughlin, Andrew C. ''A Constitutional History of the United States'' (1935), standard history by leading scholar  [http://www.constitution.org/cmt/mclaughlin/chus.htm online edition]

* McLaughlin, Andrew C. ''A Constitutional History of the United States'' (1935), standard history by leading scholar  [http://www.constitution.org/cmt/mclaughlin/chus.htm online edition]

* McLaughlin, Andrew C. ''The Confederation and the Constitution, 1783-1789'' (1905) 348 pp. [http://books.google.com/books?id=CE8sAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA3&dq=intitle:constitution&num=30&as_brr=1 online from Google]

* McLaughlin, Andrew C. ''The Confederation and the Constitution, 1783-1789'' (1905) 348 pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=CE8sAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA3&dq=intitle:constitution&num=30&as_brr=1 online from Google]

* Morgan, Kenneth. "Slavery and the Debate over Ratification of the United States Constitution." ''Slavery & Abolition'' 2001 22(3): 40-65. Issn: 0144-039x Fulltext: in Ingenta  

* Morgan, Kenneth. "Slavery and the Debate over Ratification of the United States Constitution." ''Slavery & Abolition'' 2001 22(3): 40-65. Issn: 0144-039x Fulltext: in Ingenta  

* Morris, Richard B. ''The Forging of the Union: 1781-1789'' (1987), standard survey of era by leading scholar

* Morris, Richard B. ''The Forging of the Union: 1781-1789'' (1987), standard survey of era by leading scholar