What was the Constitutional Convention?
On May 25, 1787 delegates from seven states met in Philadelphia and, soon, five more states arrived. Rhode Island was not represented. Each state was asked to send delegate, a trusted representative who had their best interest in mind. Their main goal was to suggest ways to improve the Articles of Confederation. There was much debate and controversy that they decided to create a new plan for government, which would be later called the Constitution.
Who attended the Constitutional Convention?
Those delegates in attendance to the Constitutional Convention would be key players in our nation's history: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and James Madison. These notable figures and others would be called the Framers to our Constitution. The 55 delegates consisted of:
People that did not participate included:
- white men
- leaders during the American Revolution
- Congress members under the Article of Confederation
- leaders in their states
People that did not participate included:
- women
- blacks
- American Indians
- poor farmers
- indentured servants
- delegates from Rhode Island as they opposed the Articles of Confederation being changed.