Constitutional Convention
The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It instead designed a new plan of government, the US Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting of delegates that took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The purpose of the convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate in governing the young United States of America.
As the convention progressed, it became clear that a new constitution was needed – one that would create a stronger, more centralized federal government while preserving individual liberties and the rights of the states. The resulting document, the United States Constitution, was signed on September 17, 1787, and eventually ratified by all 13 states.
The convention was attended by 55 delegates, many of whom were prominent figures in American politics and society, including George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. The proceedings were conducted in secrecy, with the delegates swearing to keep the discussions confidential in order to allow for frank debate.
Despite the challenges of drafting a new constitution, the delegates eventually reached a compromise, creating a document that has stood the test of time and remains the cornerstone of American democracy.
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