- The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
- Delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island did not attend) gathered to revise the Articles, but ultimately decided to draft a new constitution.
- Key issues included representation in Congress, the powers of the federal government, and the balance between state and federal authority.
- The Great Compromise resolved the debate over representation by creating a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation for each state.
- The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.
- The Constitution established a stronger federal government with three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to provide checks and balances.
- The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and required ratification by nine states to become effective.
- The Federalists supported ratification, while the Anti-Federalists opposed it, fearing too much centralized power; this led to the addition of the Bill of Rights.
- The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation and remains the supreme law of the United States.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of the constitutional convention worksheet answer key.
