Constitutional Convention of 1787 - Essay Example

Constitution of 1787 The Constitution of 1787 laid the groundwork for the newly established United s government. The principles, in terms of government, established in the Constitution have remained pivotal elements of the United States over two hundred years after it was established. In addition, this document remains heralded for its profound insight into human and governmental rights within the changing world. This essay considers the constitutional Convention of 1787 through an examination of the key contributors, the compromises that took place in the documents construction, and the outcomes thereafter. While the United States had previously passed the Articles of Confederation, it was realized that a stronger and more complex vision of government would need to be presented. It was with this understanding in mind that representatives from twelve states met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to discuss various aspects of government (Collier). This meeting was referred to as the Constitutional Convention. Today the on-goings of this convention is known through the diaries of James Madison. Madison is also recognized as perhaps the Constitutions key contributor, as he was the primary drafter of the document. In addition to Madison other key contributors included many of the nation’s prominent forefathers. Among these individuals included Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. In all fifty-five delegates from the twelve states attended the convention. There were a number of compromises that were reached during the constitutional Convention of 1787. The most prominent compromise has come to be termed the Great Compromise. The main consideration within this aspect of the convention was the extent of and boundaries of state powers. A prominent aspect of this debate was how many representatives would be elected from each state and in what proportion to the population (Gordon). Clearly a variety of divergent opinions emerged on this issue as larger states desired further representation because of population size, while smaller states desired a system wherein there would be equal representation. The recognized leader of this aspect of the convention was Roger Sherman from Connecticut (Gordon). Interest groups for the large states had desired that senators appointed by the national government, whereas Sherman desired an election process. This issue was debated back and forth before the ‘Great Compromise’ was reached. According to this agreement, each state would have equal representation in the Senate, while the House of Representatives would be appointed on a population basis (Gordon). This compromise has lasted until the present day and in addition to the executive and judicial branches forms the backbone of the American governmental system. In addition to the Great Compromise there were a number of other seminal debates and agreements that occurred at the convention. One of the most prominent of these debates concerned the question of slavery. The main concern in these regards came the extent that states with slaves should be able to count them as people in terms of representative numbers. While a number of states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, were ready to abolish property as a determining factor for voting, other states remained conflicted on the issue. It was during this time that the 3/5ths compromise was reached, wherein slaves would count as 3.5ths in terms of Congressional representation. Ultimately, the slavery debate itself became one that was too contentious to resolve during the convention; the delegates reasoned that the Constitution was designed to shape the current government and not to enact significant human rights reforms. Another prominent debate that occurred at the convention concerned the nature of taxation. There was significant debate that centered on how taxes would be levied and in what realms of government these decisions would be made (Levy). While the Articles of Confederation had already vested the national government with powers of taxation, it was agreed at the constitutional convention that the national government would increasingly gain power of taxation over the states (Levy). In addition, the states’ ability to tax imports was usurped by the national government (Levy). James Madison headed the actual process of the Constitution’s construction. Madison and other delegates from Virginia met and drafted what came to be known as the Virginia Plan. The Virginia Plan established elements of two houses and a judiciary branch. Madison’s plan also included the executive branch that would have a veto power to override votes from the houses. In many regards, one sees Madison’s early formulations as articulated in the Virginia Plan in operation in the contemporary United States government. Madison’s Virginia Plan, along with plans presented by Charles Pickney, New Jersey delegates, and Alexander Hamilton would come to be debated on (Mee). Ultimately, the Constitution that emerged was a combination and compromise of these varying perspectives. While Madison’s Virginia Plan is recognized as the most influential, elements of the other plans are also prominent, including means of voting and appointment. One of the notable elements of the drafting of the constitution was the issue of slavery. While a number of the delegates, including Benjamin Franklin, were disappointed in the final constitution because it continued to permit slavery, it was allowed because the issue was considered too controversial to broach. After the Constitution was agreed upon, it was submitted to the states for ratification. There was great controversy during this period as a number of the states opposed elements in the Constitution. One of the prominent issues was the nature of amending laws within the Constitution after its ratification. Ultimately, despite disagreements, the states agreed to ratify the Constitution recognizing that there would be the possibility for later amendments. Many of these concerns were addressed in the later established Bill of Rights. In conclusion, this essay has considered elements related to the Constitution of 1787. The essay has demonstrated that the Constitution emerged from the earlier established Articles of Confederation. A number of prominent debates and compromises were examined, including the Great Compromise, as well as debates over slavery, taxation, and the allocation of power. It demonstrated James Madison through the Virginia Plan was the primary contributor. It considered the nature of the Constitution’s construction. Finally, it examined what occurred after the document was agreed upon. References Collier, Christopher. Decision in Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention of 1787. Ballantine Books. 2007 Gordon Steven. The Creation of the American Republic 1776-1787. New York: Templeton. 1969. Levy, Leonard W. et al., ed. Encyclopedia of the American Constitution. 5 vol; 1992 Mee, Charles L., Jr. The Genius of the People. New York: Harper & Row. Wood. 1987. Read More