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The Evolution Of The Constitutional Convention Of 1787

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What does it mean to be an American? In the textbook, it says: “How one understands the Revolution often dictates how one defines what it means to be American.” (Pg 138-137 ywap ) I want to take this idea and relate it to all American history. It is understanding events such as the laws and events that built the idea of being an American. Especially today when topics such as these that our founding fathers built are constantly being contested and discussed. For example, the 14th amendment and the conversation around it and the current upcoming election. Therefore it is important as an American, and a duty of being an American, to be knowledgeable about the foundations of our government and history. The evolution of the United States from colonies …show more content…

The rebellion in Massachusetts raised questions about building a stronger central government. Therefore, leading to the constitutional convention. At first, this convention was thought to revise the Articles of Confederation, although most delegates agreed to create an entirely new document and government. This is the birth of the constitution, yet there is some disagreement among some of the smaller states. The smaller states wanted equal representation, along with the larger states. After months of deliberation came the 3/5th compromise, and states in the South gained more power in the government. I also feel it is important to note that slavery was a catalyst for the American government, it provided money to fuel the new American colonies. This compromise gave slave states in the South power. This does not exclude the northern colonies from participating in slavery. Cotton produced from slave labor was transported to textile factories in the north. Slavery is engrained in the economic system and is reflected in the policies placed in the making of the Constitution. The two most important plans of this convention are the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Madison's Virginia plan called for states with larger populations to have more representation in the government. William Paterson's New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for every state, no matter what the population. Then came a compromise that was a bicameral system, Under the compromise, all states were represented equally in the Senate. Bringing it back to the conventions tied to Shay's rebellion, some were afraid to give people the power to elect their officials for representation. Hammering this point down is an article from 1849 on the Constitutional Convention: “all officers shall be elected by the people”. The day

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