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Article: Constitution of the United States (1787–1788)
- Article from:
- Dictionary of American History
- Author:
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CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
(1787
–
1788)
Delegates sent to Philadelphia from the thirteen states to discuss changes to the existing Confederation government formed the Constitution during the summer of 1787. The delegates tended to be well-educated, wealthy conservatives who worried about the economic and diplomatic problems facing the young United States. Shortly after the beginning of the proceedings, the delegates adopted a rule of debate behind closed doors, so that views could be expressed without fear of repercussions at home. James Madison of Virginia used this opportunity to introduce his plan for revising the government of the United States. Madison's Virginia Plan ...