What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, was a pivotal event in American history where delegates from twelve of the thirteen states (Rhode Island did not participate) gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The key outcomes and events of the convention include:

1. Purpose and Context: Initially convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, the convention quickly shifted focus to creating a new framework for the federal government.

2. Key Figures: Prominent figures included George Washington, who presided over the convention, James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution" for his significant contributions, and Benjamin Franklin, among others.

3. Major Debates and Compromises:

   • The Great Compromise: Resolved disputes between large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
   • Three-Fifths Compromise: Addressed how slaves would be counted for representation and taxation, determining that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted.
   • Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise: Allowed the federal government to regulate interstate and international commerce but prohibited any laws banning the slave trade for twenty years.

4. Creation of the Constitution: The convention resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

5. Ratification Process: The Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states to become effective. This led to debates between Federalists, who supported the new Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it without a Bill of Rights.

The Constitutional Convention was a foundational moment that shaped the governance structure of the United States, leading to the establishment of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.