what happened during The Constitutional Convention and the new US Constitution. summarize the event
The Constitutional Convention took place from May to September 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was held to discuss the flaws of the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States, and propose a new framework for the government.
Delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island declined to attend) met to achieve a compromise and establish a stronger central government. The attendees included prominent figures like George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin.
During the convention, debates centered around issues such as the representation of states in the national legislature and the balance of power between state and federal governments. The Virginia Plan, proposed by Madison, called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan, put forth by William Paterson, supported equal representation for all states.
Ultimately, a compromise known as the Connecticut Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, was reached. It resulted in a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate (with equal representation for each state) and the House of Representatives (with proportional representation based on population).
Other major decisions included the establishment of a directly elected president, the separation of powers into three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial), and the institution of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
The result of the convention was the creation of a new U.S. Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787. It outlined the fundamental principles and powers of the federal government, established the rights of citizens, and provided a framework for future amendments.
The new Constitution faced opposition, primarily from the Anti-Federalists, who were concerned about the potential for a strong central government infringing upon the rights of states and individuals. To address these concerns, the Federalist Papers were written by Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay, advocating for the ratification of the Constitution.
Despite the opposition, the Constitution was ratified by the required nine out of thirteen states by June 1788. It went into effect on March 4, 1789, and stands as the supreme law of the United States, providing the basis for the country's political system for over two centuries.