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==The Constitutional Convention==

==The Constitutional Convention==

It was economics and business concerns that sparked the first series call for a national convention to improve the Articles of Confederation.  In September 1786, nine (9) states accepted Virginia's call for a national convention on the issue of interstate commerce, which was trade between the states.  Under the Articles of Confederation, each state could impose taxes ("tariffs") on goods or merchandise shipped to it from another state, and these "tariff wars" disrupted the free market and impeded economic progress.  But only five (5) states attended this "Annapolis Convention," so it was a failure.  But it did something that proved to be historic:  it called for another constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia.

It was economic and business concerns that sparked the first series call for a national convention to improve the Articles of Confederation.  In September 1786, nine (9) states accepted Virginia's call for a national convention on the issue of interstate commerce, which was trade between the states.  Under the Articles of Confederation, each state could impose taxes ("tariffs") on goods or merchandise shipped to it from another state, and these "tariff wars" disrupted the free market and impeded economic progress.  Only five (5) states attended this "Annapolis Convention," so it was a failure.  But it did something that proved to be historic:  it called for another constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia.

The Constitutional Convention convened in the summer of 1787 (May through September) in Philadelphia to strengthen the national government by modifying the Articles of Confederation.  Note that the original goal was to fix the Articles of Confederation, not to replace them, but once at the convention the [[Founding Fathers]] decided to replace the Articles altogether.  The Convention was one of the most important events in the history of mankind.

The Constitutional Convention convened in the summer of 1787 (May through September) in Philadelphia to strengthen the national government by modifying the Articles of Confederation.  Note that its original goal was to fix the Articles of Confederation, not to replace them, but once at the convention the [[Founding Fathers]] decided to replace the Articles altogether.  The Convention became one of the most important events in the entire history of mankind.

Every state sent representatives except Rhode Island.  Some sources claim that Rhode Island's "[[separation of church and state]]" laid the foundation of the Constitution.  But Rhode Island didn't even show up at the Constitutional Convention!

Every state sent representatives except Rhode Island.  Some sources claim that Rhode Island's "[[separation of church and state]]" laid the foundation of the Constitution.  But Rhode Island didn't even show up at the Constitutional Convention!

In total, 55 delegates from twelve states attended the Convention.  The highest attendance and participation at the Constitutional Convention came from large states, particularly Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and South Carolina.

In total, 55 delegates -- roughly the same size as our class -- attended from twelve states.  The highest attendance and participation at the Constitutional Convention came from large states, particularly Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and South Carolina.

Key participants in the Constitutional Convention were James Madison, George Washington, [[Alexander Hamilton]], Benjamin Franklin.  [[John Adams]] and [[Thomas Jefferson]] were overseas in diplomatic missions, Adams in England and Jefferson in France.  Remember those alliances:  Adams (and all of New England) was allied with England, while Jefferson (and much of Virginia) was allied with France.

Key participants in the Constitutional Convention were James Madison, George Washington, [[Alexander Hamilton]] and Benjamin Franklin.  [[John Adams]] and [[Thomas Jefferson]] did not attend because they were overseas in diplomatic missions; Adams was in England and Jefferson was in France.  Remember the alliances suggested by their diplomatic efforts:  Adams (and all of New England) was allied with England, while Jefferson (and much of Virginia) was allied with France.

[[George Washington]] reluctantly agreed to attend the convention, and was elected to preside.  In another display of his remarkable self-sacrifice, Washington did not speak on the issues, because he felt this would be unsuitable for the chairman.

[[George Washington]] reluctantly agreed to attend the convention, and was elected to preside.  In another display of his remarkable self-sacrifice, Washington did not speak on the issues, because he felt this would be unsuitable for the chairman.

[[Benjamin Franklin]] was the oldest attendee, at 82.  He had to be carried to meetings in a chair and wrote out his remarks so that others could speak for him.  Nevertheless, his influence on the Convention was invaluable.

[[Benjamin Franklin]] was the oldest attendee, at 82.  He had to be carried to meetings in a chair and wrote out his remarks so that others could speak for him.  Nevertheless, his influence on the Convention was invaluable.

[[James Madison]] took copious notes during the deliberations and was a tireless worker.  All his proposals were rejected, but he received the misnomer of "Father of the Constitution" because most of knowledge of the proceedings come from his notes.

[[James Madison]] took copious notes during the deliberations and was a tireless worker.  All his proposals were rejected, but he received the misnomer of "Father of the Constitution" because most of the information of the proceedings come from his notes.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were bright, dedicated, and spiritual men.  This was a very special event.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were bright, dedicated, and spiritual men.  This was a very special event.

The deliberations were held in secret, without any news leaking to the reporters.  This secrecy benefited the Convention because the delegates could proceed freely and try different ideas without fearing that their actions would be misunderstood by the public.  Everyone was ordered to destroy their notes after the convention.  James Madison, however, kept his and they were released when he died fifty years later.  Those notes provide the knowledge we have about the debates that occurred during the Convention.  

The delegates decided that secrecy should govern the deliberations, without any news leaking to the reporters.  This secrecy benefited the Convention because the delegates could proceed freely and try different ideas without fearing that their actions would be misunderstood by the public.  Everyone was ordered to destroy their notes after the convention.  James Madison, however, kept his and they were released when he died fifty years later, providing most of our current knowledge about it.  

The Constitutional Convention was governed by strict rules.  For example, "Every member rising to speak, shall address the President; and whilst he shall be speaking, none shall pass between them or hold discourse with another, or read a book, pamphlet or paper."  Nothing was to be considered final until the entire Constitution had been written.  Each state received one vote.

The Constitutional Convention was governed by strict rules.  For example, "Every member rising to speak, shall address the President; and whilst he shall be speaking, none shall pass between them or hold discourse with another, or read a book, pamphlet or paper."  Nothing was to be considered final until the entire Constitution had been written.  Each state received one vote.

While most delegates agreed that stronger central government was necessary, they were uncertain how they could accomplish this without too much power.  Their fear of the corruption power brings reflects the Christian beginnings of our nation.  Christianity teaches that humans are sinful and prone to corruption.  Very few religions teach that.

While most delegates agreed that stronger central government was necessary, they were uncertain how they could accomplish this without too much power.  Their fear of the corruption that power brings reflects the Christian beginnings of our nation.  Christianity teaches that humans are sinful and prone to corruption.  Very few other religions teach that.

As the Constitutional Convention began, the delegates agreed that the Articles of Confederation had not created a functional government.  Congress was in shambles, and so sporadically attended that between October 1785 and April 1786, it had the minimum attendance to business on only three days.  The stated purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to "render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union."

As the Constitutional Convention began, the delegates agreed that the Articles of Confederation had not created a functional government.  Congress was in shambles, and so sporadically attended that between October 1785 and April 1786, it had the minimum attendance to business on only three days.  The stated purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to "render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union."