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The Debate That Made the Constitution

Denzel Hayes

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The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history. It was at this convention that the Founding Fathers debated and compromised to create the United States Constitution, the document that would shape the future of the nation.

The Debate That Made the Constitution of the United States

by Juliet Hooker

5 out of 5

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The convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787. Fifty-five delegates from twelve states attended, including George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. The delegates were tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, the weak central government that had been in place since the American Revolution.

The delegates quickly realized that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate. They debated a variety of issues, including the structure of the new government, the powers of the federal government, and the rights of the states. One of the most contentious issues was the question of representation. Large states, such as Virginia, wanted representation based on population, while small states, such as Delaware, wanted equal representation. This issue was eventually resolved with the creation of the bicameral legislature, with the Senate representing the states equally and the House of Representatives representing the population.

Another major issue was the question of slavery. Some delegates, such as James Madison, believed that slavery should be abolished. Others, such as George Mason, believed that slavery was a necessary evil. This issue was eventually compromised with the inclusion of the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation.

After months of debate and compromise, the delegates finally agreed on a new constitution. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and it was ratified by the states in 1788. The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times since its ratification, but it remains the foundation of the American government.

The Legacy of the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a watershed moment in American history. The delegates to the convention created a document that has shaped the nation for over two centuries.

The Constitution has been praised for its clarity, brevity, and flexibility. It has also been criticized for its lack of detail and for its failure to address certain issues, such as slavery. However, there is no doubt that the Constitution is one of the most important documents in American history.

The Constitution has been a source of inspiration for people around the world. It has been translated into over a hundred languages, and it has been used as a model for constitutions in many other countries.

The Constitution is a living document that continues to evolve. It has been amended twenty-seven times since its ratification, and it is likely to be amended many more times in the future.

The Constitutional Convention in Film

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 has been the subject of several films and television shows. One of the most famous is the 1935 film The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, which tells the story of a group of British officers in India who are inspired by the American Revolution to fight for independence.

Another well-known film about the Constitutional Convention is the 1984 film The Scarlet and the Black, which tells the story of an Italian priest who helps Jews escape from Nazi-occupied Italy during World War II.

In recent years, the Constitutional Convention has also been the subject of several television shows, including the 2017 miniseries The Sons of Liberty and the 2019 series The Good Lord Bird.

The Constitutional Convention: A Turning Point in History

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a turning point in American history. The delegates to the convention created a document that has shaped the nation for over two centuries.

The Constitution is a living document that continues to evolve. It has been amended twenty-seven times since its ratification, and it is likely to be amended many more times in the future.

The Debate That Made the Constitution of the United States

by Juliet Hooker

5 out of 5