Thesis
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was the cause of great change within the American Government. Prior to this event, the Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the newly formed United States, and this was greatly disliked by many . Acts of protest against the Articles such as Shay's Rebellion, led America's founding fathers to band together at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and create the United States Constitution, a living breathing constitution able to adapt with the changes America encounters.
Introductory Paragraph
On May 15, 1776 the Second Continental Congress met in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, to issue “A Resolve” to the thirteen colonies: “Adopt such a government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the safety and happiness of their constituents in particular and America in general.” This "Resolve" is today known as the Declaration of Independence which began the Revolution, and then following was the the Articles of Confederation which was the first written constitution of the United States. Stemming from wartime urgency, its progress was slowed by fears of central authority and extensive land claims by states, and several statesmen, especially George Washington, were concerned that the idea of an American mind that had emerged during the war with Britain was about to disappear and the Articles of Confederation were inadequate to foster the development of an American character. Others, especially James Madison, were concerned that the state legislatures, dominated by what he saw as oppressive, unjust, and overbearing majorities, were passing laws detrimental to the rights of individual conscience and the right to private property. And there was nothing that the union government could do about it because the Articles left matters of religion and commerce to the states. The solution, concluded Madison, was to create an extended republic, in which a variety of opinions, passions, and interests would check and balance each other, supported by a governmental framework that endorsed a separation of powers between the branches of the general government.
Between 1781 and 1785 attempts “to correct these errors” failed to secure the required unanimous consent of the state legislatures. Matters changed, however, in 1786. Following James Madison’s suggestion of 21 January 1786, the Virginia Legislature invited all the States to discuss ways to reduce interstate conflicts in Annapolis, Maryland. The “commissioners” in attendance at Annapolis during September 1786, chatted about these particular concerns, but suggested that the conversation be both deepened and widened. They endorsed a motion that a “Grand Convention," today known as the Constitutional Convention of all the States meet in Philadelphia the next May 1787 to discuss how to improve the Articles of Confederation.
Between 1781 and 1785 attempts “to correct these errors” failed to secure the required unanimous consent of the state legislatures. Matters changed, however, in 1786. Following James Madison’s suggestion of 21 January 1786, the Virginia Legislature invited all the States to discuss ways to reduce interstate conflicts in Annapolis, Maryland. The “commissioners” in attendance at Annapolis during September 1786, chatted about these particular concerns, but suggested that the conversation be both deepened and widened. They endorsed a motion that a “Grand Convention," today known as the Constitutional Convention of all the States meet in Philadelphia the next May 1787 to discuss how to improve the Articles of Confederation.