Constitutional Convention
Definition
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting held in 1787 where delegates from twelve states wrote the U.S. Constitution.
Analogy
Imagine you're part of a team working on an important group project (like creating an app). You all gather together to discuss your ideas, make decisions, and create plans - that's similar to what happened at this convention but their project was creating a new system of government!
Related terms
James Madison: Known as "Father of the Constitution," he played a significant role during this convention with his contributions including drafting much of what would become our constitution.
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): A crucial agreement reached during this convention which decided how representation would be determined in Congress - combining elements from both Virginia Plan (representation based on population) and New Jersey Plan (equal representation).
Three-Fifths Compromise: Another key agreement made during this convention which determined how slaves would be counted towards population for representation purposes.
"Constitutional Convention" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (3)
- What event prompted leaders to convene the Constitutional Convention?
- Which event occurred after the Constitutional Convention and before all states ratified the U.S. Constitution?
- If Constitutional Convention had occurred later amid growing hostilities between Britain and France, how might this influence its content?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.