Calling the Constitutional Convention

Question

The Constitutional Convention and the new US Constitution
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?

Answer 1

Calling the Constitutional Convention

Who was involved? The Constitutional Convention, held in 1787, involved a variety of key figures known as the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, who presided over the convention; James Madison, who is often called the "Father of the Constitution"; Benjamin Franklin; Alexander Hamilton; and John Jay, among others. Various states, including Georgia, sent delegates to represent their interests at the convention. The event also affected the broader populace, including local leaders, citizens, and groups concerned about the structure of the new national government.

What happened? The Constitutional Convention convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had established a loose confederation of states but failed to create a strong central government capable of addressing the nation’s challenges. The delegates debated issues such as representation, the powers of the federal government, and the balance between state and national authority. The outcome of the convention was the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which created a new framework for government with a system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Where did the event take place? The event took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specifically in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.

When did the event take place? The Constitutional Convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787.

Why is this event important to Georgia’s history? The Constitutional Convention is significant to Georgia’s history for several reasons. First, Georgia was one of the original thirteen states that ratified the Constitution, becoming a part of the new United States. The state's delegates, including Abraham Baldwin and William Few, contributed to the shaping of the document. Moreover, the Constitution addressed several issues critical to Georgia, such as representation, trade, and land policies. The ratification of the Constitution marked a pivotal shift toward a stronger federal government, which had lasting effects on Georgia’s political, social, and economic development in the years to come.