What Is The Constitutional Convention

The Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Federal Convention or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, was held for four months from May 25 until September 17, 1787. The prime objective of this grand conference was to address all the problems that happened in the United States of America after the country gained independence from Great Britain. The meeting was held at the State House in Philadelphia.

The State House in Philadelphia or the Independence Hall is historically significant as this was the same place where the Declaration of Independence was signed between Great Britain and the United States of America. Around 55 delegates from all the states in America except Rhode Island participated in the meeting to frame the US Constitution. The delegates were largely merchants, lawyers and planters, who were experienced in colonial and state government. Some of the delegates even had records of service in the army and in the courts. While George Washington was unanimously elected as the President and the Presiding Officer of the convention, William Jackson was chosen as the secretary.

Three major proposals regarding the formation of a new government were considered in the convention. These included the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan and the Connecticut Compromise. The Virginia Plan sought for a strong central government with two legislative houses where members were elected by the people. The New Jersey Plan sought for an equal representation of each and every state with one single legislative body. The Connecticut Compromise was a mixture of the above two plans. In this, proposal was made for a lower house and an upper house. In the lower house, members were elected in proportion to population while in the upper house; every state would have a representation. Finally, it was the Virginia Plan that was supported by the delegates of all major states.