The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, was a crucial event in American history that led to the creation and adoption of the United States Constitution. Several people and groups were involved and affected by this event, including:
1. Founding Fathers: Prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams were among the delegates. They played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution and its principles.
2. State Delegations: Representatives from all thirteen states, except Rhode Island, participated in the Convention. Each state delegation had a varying number of delegates, and they brought their perspectives and interests to the discussion.
3. Small States vs. Large States: One of the primary debates during the Convention was between the representatives of small states, who advocated for equal representation, and those from large states, who argued for representation based on population. This led to the Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
4. Slaveholding States: Another significant division was between the Northern states, which wanted to limit the influence of slavery, and the Southern states, which wanted to preserve it. The Three-Fifths Compromise was reached, counting each slave as three-fifths of a person for both taxation and representation purposes.
5. Anti-Federalists: The Convention's discussions and the drafting of a new Constitution were met with skepticism and opposition by the Anti-Federalists, who feared a strong central government would undermine individual liberties. They later became influential in advocating for the addition of the Bill of Rights.
6. Women and African Americans: Notably absent from the Convention were women and African Americans. As these marginalized groups were not afforded political rights or equal representation at the time, they were unable to participate directly in shaping the Constitution.
7. Ratification Process: Once the Constitution was drafted, it needed to be ratified by special conventions held in each state. This process involved state legislators and ordinary citizens who debated and voted on whether to approve the proposed Constitution.
Overall, the Constitutional Convention and the resulting Constitution involved a diverse range of people and groups, each with their own interests and perspectives. The compromises and decisions made during this event continue to shape the United States government and political system to this day.
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.
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