Constitutional Convention Delegates

Why This Matters

The Constitutional Convention wasn't just a meeting—it was a collision of competing visions for American government. When you study these delegates, you're really studying the foundational debates that still shape our political system: federalism vs. states' rights, executive power vs. legislative dominance, majority rule vs. minority protections. The AP exam expects you to understand not just who these people were, but what ideas they championed and how those ideas became embedded in our constitutional framework.

Don't fall into the trap of memorizing biographical details. Instead, focus on what each delegate contributed to the constitutional structure and which side of key debates they represented. When an FRQ asks about the Great Compromise or the Bill of Rights, you need to know which delegates drove those outcomes—and why their positions mattered.

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Architects of Constitutional Structure

These delegates shaped the fundamental framework of the document itself—the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the basic architecture of government that the AP exam tests heavily.

James Madison

• "Father of the Constitution"—his Virginia Plan provided the working blueprint for the Convention's debates
• Checks and balances advocate who designed the system preventing any single branch from dominating
• Later championed the Bill of Rights to secure ratification, connecting individual liberty to constitutional structure

Gouverneur Morris

• Principal author of the final draft—he wrote the famous Preamble beginning "We the People"
• Advocated for population-based representation and a strong executive branch
• His editing ensured the Constitution's clarity and coherence, making it a functional governing document

James Wilson

• Key proponent of popular sovereignty—pushed for direct election of representatives and the president
• His legal expertise shaped the Article III judiciary and established foundations for judicial review
• Argued that government power derived from the people, not the states—a crucial theoretical distinction

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The Compromise Builders

The Convention nearly collapsed multiple times. These delegates found the middle ground that made ratification possible—and their compromises remain testable concepts today.

Roger Sherman

• Proposed the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)—bicameral legislature with population-based House and equal-state Senate
• Bridged the divide between large and small states that threatened to derail the entire Convention
• Only person to sign all four founding documents: Declaration, Articles, Constitution, and Articles of Association

Benjamin Franklin

• Served as chief mediator at age 81—his prestige and diplomatic skill defused tensions between factions
• Advocated for compromise on slavery and representation, prioritizing union over ideological purity
• His famous closing speech urging delegates to sign despite doubts became a model of pragmatic constitutionalism

Edmund Randolph

• Introduced the Virginia Plan—the large-state proposal for proportional representation that started Convention debates
• Refused to sign the final document but later supported ratification after Bill of Rights was promised
• His evolution illustrates how the ratification debates continued shaping the Constitution's meaning

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Champions of Executive Authority

These delegates pushed for a strong presidency and centralized national power—positions that remain controversial and frequently tested.

George Washington

• Convention president whose credibility and leadership made the entire enterprise legitimate
• Advocated for strong central government to address weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
• His expected role as first president shaped delegates' willingness to grant executive power—they trusted him

Alexander Hamilton

• Most aggressive advocate for centralized national power—wanted the president elected for life
• Co-authored The Federalist Papers (#51, #78 are most tested) defending the Constitution's ratification
• His vision of implied powers and national banking later became foundational through McCulloch v. Maryland

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Defenders of Individual Rights

These delegates prioritized liberty over efficiency—their concerns led directly to the Bill of Rights, one of the most heavily tested constitutional topics.

George Mason

• Primary advocate for a Bill of Rights at the Convention—his Virginia Declaration of Rights was a model
• Refused to sign the Constitution because it lacked explicit protections for individual liberties
• His opposition helped force the promise of amendments that secured ratification in key states

Elbridge Gerry

• Opposed ratification without Bill of Rights protections—joined Mason in refusing to sign
• Raised concerns about congressional representation and potential for legislative tyranny
• Later gave his name to "gerrymandering"—manipulating district boundaries for political advantage

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. Which two delegates refused to sign the Constitution, and what common concern motivated their opposition?

2. Compare Madison's contribution to constitutional structure with Hamilton's contribution to constitutional ratification—how did their roles differ?

3. If an FRQ asks you to explain how the Great Compromise resolved tensions at the Convention, which delegate must you discuss, and what was the specific mechanism of the compromise?

4. George Mason and James Madison both cared about individual rights, but they took different positions on signing the Constitution. What explains this difference, and how was it eventually resolved?

5. Which delegate's vision of executive power and implied congressional authority became most influential in later Supreme Court decisions like McCulloch v. Maryland?