may 25, 1787 - U.S. Constitutional Convention
Description:
A convention in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Twelve delegates convened to resolve the faults in the Articles of Confederation and lasted until September.
A heated debate over the drafting of a Constitution took place, James Maddison's Virginia Plan going against the smaller states New Jersey Plan. Elements from both plans were used, a bicameral legislative branch--the Senate--would be created while a lower house--the House of Representatives was created. The Federalist Nature of the government with Congress, the executive branch (the president), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court).
The Three-Fifths compromise settled the dispute between the North and the South whether slaves should be counted as representation. It was decided that every 5 individual will be counted as 3 towards taxation and representation.
To get the constitution ratified against the opposition of large government by parties such as the Democratic-Republicans, the Bill of Rights was drafted.
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United States History
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