Process of Creation of the U.S. Constitution

From 1781 to 1789, the colonies ruled by a set of agreements called the "Articles of Confederation". There were many flaws in these agreements among the thirteen states. Each state acted as an independent nation able to coin its own money, impose tariffs on other states, and establish trade with foreign governments. The federal government had little power; only that which was granted them by the states. In 1787, representatives of twelve of the thirteen states came together to revise these articles. What it turned out to be was much more than a simple revision.

In Miracle at Philadelphia, Catherine Drinker Bowen tells the story of the stormy, brilliant session of 1787 in Philadelphia that saw the birth of the Constitution of the United States. Looked at straight from the records, the Federal Convention is startlingly fresh and new, and Bowen evokes it as if the listener were actually there, mingling with the delegates, hearing their arguments, witnessing a dramatic moment in history.

United only in name after successfully winning independence, between 1777 and 1789, the United States floundered under the Articles, unable to conduct an effective foreign policy, establish a stable

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tion of officers. Well aware that any competition between the convention's most illustrious members - Washington and Franklin - was potentially divisive, the Pennsylvanians had come prepared. Franklin was too sick to attend the first session. But on Franklin's behalf, Robert Morris - a rich speculator known widely as the "financier of the Revolution" - proposed George Washington for convention president. Then the delegates turned to the rules. The most important called for utter secrecy of the proceedings. "Gentlemen agreed" not to speak or write of what was going on until it was over. Jefferson, when he heard of the rule, was furious. He argued, by mail, that the debates should be open. But savvy political heads, who knew that secrecy was the only way to insure that the delegates would speak their minds, prevailed. So, Pennsylvania posted sentries around the State House to help insure the delegates' privacy. The debate was heated from the start. The Virginians had arrived early and taken advantage of the delay in opening - plus Madison's detailed study of history and law - to put together a 15-point plan of action. Edmund Randolph, 34, the handsome Virginia governor, presented it to the convention. The plan called for a two-ho
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Approximate Word count = 1357
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

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