1787

Definition

The year 1787 marks a significant turning point in American history as it is when the Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia, leading to the drafting of the United States Constitution. This event represented a crucial moment in the development of American government, establishing a framework for federal authority and individual rights that would influence future literature and political discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Constitutional Convention was held from May to September 1787, attended by prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.
2. The outcome of the convention was a new framework of government that included a system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
3. The debates at the convention were marked by significant disagreements over representation, leading to compromises like the Great Compromise that established a bicameral legislature.
4. The ratification process of the Constitution sparked widespread debate across the states, giving rise to Federalists who supported it and Anti-Federalists who opposed it.
5. The Constitution created a more robust national government compared to the Articles of Confederation, influencing subsequent American literature by framing discussions around democracy, rights, and governance.

Review Questions

• How did the events of 1787 at the Constitutional Convention shape American political thought?
  • The events of 1787 during the Constitutional Convention fundamentally shaped American political thought by introducing ideas about federalism, representation, and individual rights. The delegates' discussions led to compromises that balanced power between large and small states, reflecting a commitment to democracy while addressing concerns over tyranny. This framework became a pivotal reference point for later discussions about governance and liberty in American literature and political discourse.
• Discuss the major debates that occurred during the Constitutional Convention and their implications for future governance.
  • Major debates during the Constitutional Convention included issues surrounding representation, state versus federal power, and the protection of individual rights. The contention between larger states favoring population-based representation and smaller states advocating for equal representation was resolved through the Great Compromise. These debates laid the groundwork for a complex system of governance that continues to influence American political structure and literature on democracy.
• Evaluate how the outcomes of 1787 influenced American identity and literature in subsequent decades.
  • The outcomes of 1787 not only defined the structure of American government but also significantly influenced American identity and literature. The Constitution's establishment of rights and liberties sparked a literary response that sought to grapple with concepts of freedom, democracy, and national identity. Writers began to explore themes related to governance, individualism, and societal values, shaping a distinctly American narrative that resonated through works like those of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman in later years.

Related terms

Constitutional Convention:

A gathering of delegates from twelve of the thirteen states that took place in Philadelphia in 1787, aimed at addressing weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and resulting in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalism:

A political system in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, significant in shaping the relationship between state and federal governments in the United States.

Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, that guarantee individual rights and liberties, reflecting the concerns of many who feared a strong central government.