Question

What was the original purpose of the constitutional convention?

Answer 1

The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia in 1787, was to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States. The Articles had created a loose confederation of states with a weak central government that struggled to manage economic issues, maintain order, and address interstate disputes. Delegates aimed to revise the Articles to create a more effective national government that could better handle these challenges.

However, as discussions progressed, the focus shifted from mere revision to the creation of an entirely new framework for government, resulting in the drafting of the United States Constitution. This new Constitution established a stronger federal government with separate branches, checks and balances, and a system that better represented the interests of the states and their citizens.