What happened at the constitutional convention and the new US Constitution?
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia in 1787, where delegates from 12 of the 13 states (excluding Rhode Island) came together to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new system of government for the United States.
During the convention, the delegates engaged in intense debates and discussions to shape the structure of the new government. Some of the key issues debated included representation in Congress, the balance of power between the federal and state governments, and slavery.
The convention resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution, which established the framework for the government we have today. The Constitution created a system of checks and balances, dividing power between three branches of government: the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (headed by the President), and the judicial branch (headed by the Supreme Court).
The Constitution also outlined the rights and liberties of citizens, including freedom of speech, press, and religion, as well as the right to bear arms, among others. It established a federal government that could levy taxes, regulate commerce, and provide for the common defense, while also preserving the powers of individual states.
After its completion, the Constitution was sent to the states for ratification. It faced some opposition, but eventually, the required nine out of thirteen states ratified it, and it became the supreme law of the land in 1789.