make this into a rough draft. The Constitutional Convention Convenes
An illustration shows George Washington presiding over a meeting of delegates.
The Potomac Conference was held at the Mount Vernon estate of George Washington. Washington was a respected general who led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Delegates from Virginia and Maryland met to work out agreements for trade on the Potomac River. This led to a general conference on trade, held at Annapolis in 1786. These delegates, from five states, adopted a resolution asking Congress to call a general convention of all states to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Congress issued a call for all states to send delegates to a general convention to be held in Philadelphia beginning in May 1787. This meeting became the Constitutional Convention.
Twelve states sent 55 delegates, but Rhode Island refused to send anyone. Some of the leading citizens in the nation attended, including George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, and Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were in Europe, representing the nation as ambassadors. Other leading figures like Thomas Paine and Samuel Adams were not elected. Patrick Henry refused to serve. He said that he "smelled a rat," because he feared the states were going to lose a great amount of their power to the national government.
George Washington was elected to preside over the convention. Behind him as he presided over the meetings was a painting of a sun, low on the horizon. Franklin wondered if it was a rising sun or a setting sun for the United States. James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution, because of his enormous contributions at the convention, and for the notes that he took. These notes and all other notes were kept secret for several years, because the delegates wanted to speak freely, without fear of reprisal.
Rough Draft:
The Constitutional Convention, a pivotal event in American history, was called to order in Philadelphia in May 1787. The seeds of this important gathering were initially planted during the Potomac Conference held at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. This conference, attended by delegates from Virginia and Maryland, aimed to address trade agreements on the Potomac River. It proved to be a stepping stone towards a more comprehensive meeting on trade, which took place in Annapolis in 1786. Five states participated in this general conference and agreed to adopt a resolution, urging Congress to convene a convention with the purpose of revising the current Articles of Confederation.
Responding to this call, Congress issued a mandate for all states to send delegates to Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention. A total of twelve states, excluding Rhode Island, sent 55 delegates to participate in the Convention. Prominent figures like George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, and Alexander Hamilton graced this historic event, while Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were absent, fulfilling diplomatic duties in Europe. Interestingly, figures such as Thomas Paine and Samuel Adams were not elected, and Patrick Henry declined to serve, fearing a decline in the authority of individual states in favor of a stronger national government.
With the Convention underway, George Washington was elected as its presiding officer. As he chaired the meetings, a painting depicting a sun, positioned low on the horizon, stood behind him. Benjamin Franklin, contemplating the significance of this symbol, pondered whether it represented a rising or setting sun for the United States. James Madison, regarded as the Father of the Constitution, played a crucial role in shaping the Convention, diligently taking notes to preserve its proceedings. As a measure to foster free and open discussions, these notes, along with others, were kept confidential for several years to shield the delegates from potential repercussions.
Rough Draft:
The Constitutional Convention of the United States began with the Potomac Conference, held at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. George Washington, a respected general who led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, hosted delegates from Virginia and Maryland to discuss trade agreements on the Potomac River. Building on the success of this conference, a more extensive gathering on trade was organized at Annapolis in 1786, attended by delegates from five states. They reached a resolution, urging Congress to call a general convention of all states to revise the existing Articles of Confederation.
In response to this resolution, Congress called for a general convention to be held in Philadelphia starting in May 1787. The convention, known as the Constitutional Convention, was attended by 55 delegates from twelve states, with the exception of Rhode Island. Prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, and Alexander Hamilton participated, while Thomas Jefferson and John Adams represented the nation abroad in Europe. However, notable individuals like Thomas Paine and Samuel Adams were not elected, and Patrick Henry refused to serve, expressing his concerns about the potential loss of state power to the national government.
During the convention, George Washington was elected as its presiding officer. Behind him, there was a painting depicting a sun on the horizon, which stirred debate among the delegates. Benjamin Franklin questioned whether the sun represented the rising or setting state of the United States. James Madison, often referred to as the Father of the Constitution, played a significant role by making substantial contributions to the discussions and meticulously recording the proceedings in his notes. These notes, along with all other records, were kept confidential for several years to ensure open and honest dialogue among the delegates.
The Constitutional Convention marked a crucial moment in American history, as it would shape the future of the country by laying the groundwork for the United States Constitution.
Title: The Constitutional Convention Convenes
In the late eighteenth century, it became evident that the Articles of Confederation, the governing document of the United States at the time, had numerous flaws that hindered effective governance. To address these issues, the Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia in May 1787.
It all began with the Potomac Conference, held at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Delegates from Virginia and Maryland came together to discuss trade agreements concerning the Potomac River. This initial meeting sparked the idea of a broader conference on trade, which was held in Annapolis in 1786. Delegates from five states attended and adopted a resolution urging Congress to organize a general convention of all states to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Responding to this call, Congress issued an official invitation for all states to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention. While twelve states heeded the call and sent a total of 55 delegates, Rhode Island decided not to participate. Among the distinguished attendees were notable figures such as George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, and Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, serving as ambassadors in Europe at the time, were unable to be present. Surprisingly, individuals like Thomas Paine and Samuel Adams were not elected as delegates, while Patrick Henry declined to serve due to his concerns about potential loss of state power.
To preside over the convention, George Washington was unanimously elected. As he conducted the meetings, a painting of a sun, positioned low on the horizon, stood behind him. Benjamin Franklin pondered whether it represented a rising or setting sun for the United States, symbolizing the uncertainties the country faced.
James Madison, often referred to as the Father of the Constitution, played a pivotal role in shaping the convention's outcomes. He diligently took notes and made significant contributions to the discussions. Given the delegates' desire to express their opinions candidly, all notes, including Madison's, were kept secret for several years to protect against potential repercussions.
The Constitutional Convention was a crucial turning point for the United States. Over the course of several months, the delegates worked diligently to draft a new constitution that would establish a more effective and enduring form of government. The convention marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would ultimately lead to the birth of the United States Constitution.