Why did the Framers set the minimum age for president at 35?
They must have felt that younger people didn't have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to be president.
Thanks!
The Framers of the United States Constitution set the minimum age for president at 35 for several reasons. One reason was their belief that a person should have sufficient life experience and maturity before assuming the highest office in the land. Another reason was to ensure that the president would have established themselves in a career or profession and have gained valuable knowledge and skills that would benefit them in their role as the leader of the nation.
To understand why the Framers set the minimum age for president at 35, we can examine the historical context and the discussions that took place during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. At that time, the Framers were concerned about the stability and success of the newly formed United States. They wanted to ensure that the president would possess the necessary qualities and qualifications to effectively lead the nation.
During the Convention, there were debates about the minimum age requirement for the presidency. Some delegates argued for a higher age, while others believed that 25 or 30 would be sufficient. Ultimately, the Framers settled on 35 as the minimum age requirement, which was a compromise between those advocating for younger candidates and those who desired more life experience.
It's important to note that the Framers' decision was not based on specific age-related research or scientific evidence. Rather, the minimum age requirement was a judgment call made by the Framers based on their own understanding of what traits and experiences would make an individual fit for the presidency.
If you're interested in delving deeper into this topic, you can explore primary sources such as the Federalist Papers, which were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to explain and defend the Constitution. Additionally, researching the debates and discussions that occurred during the Constitutional Convention can provide further insight into the reasons behind the Framers' decision.