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The Writing of the Constitution
A special convention was called, which came to be known as the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Delegates from all of the states except Rhode Island convened in Philadelphia, PA, to create a plan for a more centralized type of government and to revise the Articles of Confederation. Two plans were presented for government�the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan called for a powerful central government, comprised of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Smaller states were concerned that this plan would not be truly representative of their needs and interests. The alternative plan, the New Jersey Plan, would revise and amend the Articles of Confederation to allow Congress to control trade and taxes, but still provide states with much control and autonomy at the local level. The delegates to the convention finally reached a compromise, combining ideas from both plans. A bicameral lawmaking branch was created. While states were to have equal representation in the Senate regardless of state size, the House of Representatives membership was to be based on state population. In addition to this legislative branch, an executive and judicial branch were formed, and it was agreed that no branch would have more power than the other, through a system of checks and balances. This new plan was known as the Great Compromise. As a result of this work, the Constitution was drafted and presented to the American public on September 17, 1787.
Last updated: January 22, 2001 |
The
Declaration of Independence established an underlying foundation later
realized through the Constitution of the United States of America. After
the American Revolution, each of the original 13 states operated under
its own distinct rules of government. Plans for colonial union were
proposed from time to time, one of which was the Albany Plan of 1754.
Benjamin Franklin was the author of this plan. During this time period,
most states opposed any form of centralized rule by government, fearing
the type of control exercised when England ruled the states as colonies.
So as a compromise, they framed the Articles of Confederation, which
were ratified in 1781. This "league of friendship" did not
provide for any type of real effective power in a central government.
This led to many problems, and left the central government unable to
regulate commerce between states, settle disputes, or deal with foreign
governments. The country was weak and on the verge of economic disaster.
One of the most critical events during this time was an open revolt,
known as Shays� Rebellion in Massachusetts (1786-87). The central government
was unable to provide much assistance to the state, lacking a central
army.
