The Constitutional Convention and the new US Constitution What happened? Summarize the event!
The Constitutional Convention was a gathering of delegates from the original thirteen colonies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. It was initially intended to amend the existing Articles of Confederation but eventually resulted in the creation of a new US Constitution.
During the convention, various key issues and debates were addressed, including the balance of power between the federal government and state governments, the structure of the legislative branch, and the representation of both large and small states. These discussions led to the creation of a two-house Congress, with representation in the House of Representatives based on a state's population and equal representation in the Senate for all states.
Additionally, the convention tackled the sensitive issue of slavery, resulting in the Three-Fifths Compromise. According to this compromise, slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for determining a state's population and representation.
The new Constitution established a stronger central government compared to the weak confederation under the Articles. It granted powers to the federal government to regulate commerce, levy taxes, and raise an army. It also introduced checks and balances among the three branches of government – legislative, executive, and judicial – to prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power.
After months of debates and compromises, the delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. It then needed to be ratified by at least nine of the thirteen states to become effective. The ratification process involved intensive debates and the subsequent addition of the Bill of Rights, which protected individual liberties.
Ultimately, the Constitutional Convention and the new US Constitution laid the foundation for the American system of government, preserving individual rights while establishing a framework for a strong, democratic federal government.