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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>

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==