Constitutional Convention (United States) facts for kids
The Constitutional Convention (also known as the Philadelphia Convention) was a very important meeting held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 25 to September 17, 1787. Even though the meeting was originally called to fix the Articles of Confederation (the first set of rules for the United States), many leaders like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton wanted to create a brand new government. The delegates chose George Washington to lead the Convention. The biggest outcome was the creation of the Constitution of the United States, which is why this meeting is one of the most significant events in American history.
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Big Debates and Decisions
During the Convention, the delegates had many disagreements about how the new government should work. Most of the arguments were about the Senate, especially how it would be set up and how its members would be chosen. They also argued about how to count "proportional representation," like whether to include enslaved people in population counts.
Another big question was about the executive power. Should one person be president, or should three people share the power? They also needed to decide how the president would be elected, how long they would serve, and if they could be re-elected. They even discussed what actions could lead to a president being removed from office.
Most of the Convention's time was spent on these issues. The powers of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches were not as heavily debated. Once the meeting started, the delegates agreed on some basic rules. Then, they began working with a plan proposed by James Madison, called the Virginia Plan, and started to change it. A special group called the Committee of Detail created a rough draft of the Constitution. Much of this draft stayed in the final version. After solving the last few problems, another group, the Committee on Style, wrote the final version. It was then voted on and sent to the states for approval.
The Virginia Plan: A New Idea
James Madison spent the winter before the Convention studying different types of governments from history. He arrived in Philadelphia with a lot of knowledge and a clear idea for the United States government. His plan was presented by Edmund Randolph, who was the Governor of Virginia. This plan became the main guide for the new government under the U.S. Constitution.
Madison's plan suggested three parts, or branches, of government. These branches would have checks and balances to stop any one part from becoming too powerful. His idea for the legislature (the law-making branch) had two houses. In one house, members would be elected by the people for three years. In the other house, members would be chosen by state legislatures and serve for seven years. In both houses, the number of representatives each state had would depend on its population.
Other Plans: New Jersey and Hamilton's
After discussing the Virginia Plan for two weeks, William Patterson offered his own idea, known as the New Jersey Plan or the Small State Plan. This plan was much like the old Articles of Confederation. It suggested a unicameral (one-house) legislature where every state would have just one vote, no matter its size. One important idea from Patterson's plan that was kept was that federal (national) laws would be more powerful than state laws if they conflicted.
A third plan came from Alexander Hamilton. His plan was similar to the British Constitution. It also had two houses, with members serving as long as they behaved well.
Finding a Solution: The Great Compromise
Finally, the delegates found a way to combine ideas from all three plans. This agreement is often called the Great Compromise. The new government would have two houses in its legislature. The upper house (the Senate) would have an equal number of delegates from each state, giving smaller states an equal voice. The lower house (the House of Representatives) would have representation based on each state's population, which pleased larger states.
The executive branch (the President) would be in charge of most foreign affairs. Other important powers, like approving treaties, would be handled by the legislative branch (Congress). After the new Constitution was approved by the states, it officially started in 1789.
Images for kids
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Independence Hall's Assembly Room
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James Madison, who wrote the Virginia Plan
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The Virginia Plan
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Charles Pinckney's Plan
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Edmund Randolph, the Governor of Virginia, introduced the Virginia Plan
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James Wilson's ideas greatly shaped the American presidency
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The New Jersey Plan
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Hamilton's Plan
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Roger Sherman of Connecticut
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Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania
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Quaker John Dickinson strongly argued against slavery during the convention. He had freed all his enslaved people by 1787.
See also
In Spanish: Convención de Filadelfia para niños
