Before the Convention of 1787. George Washington was “Farmer, Slaveholder, General of the Continental Army, Lending and Investments, Real Estate Land Speculations, and Public Security Interests.” He had so many things going for him; therefore, one might suggest that those aspects may have been the reason why he hesitated to attend the Convention of 1787. In fact, he hesitated because he thought the convention would not change anything; however, he was convinced by his fellow attendee’s Benjamin Franklin, who said “your Presence will be of the greatest Importance to the Success of the Measure.” Therefore he attended.
In May 1787, fifty-five educated and propertied delegates from every state except Rhode Island attended the Philadelphia Convention. Important leaders were absent, so young nationalist were able to set the program for this event. Declaring that the convention would “decide for ever the fate of Republican Government,” James Madison insisted on increased national authority. Alexander Hamilton of New York likewise demanded a strong central government to
One cannot truly grasp the magnitude of this Continental Congress until we look at the prominent figures in attendance during this time. There were 55 delegates in Carpenter’s Hall but perhaps the most prominent figures include, “George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John Jay and John Dickinson.” The delegates were mainly those of high social standing and many made their living in the fields of “trade, farming and law.” Communication between the colonies was very minimal, therefore many delegates were meeting for the first time and all would have different opinions and issues.
Washington in his early fifties resumed life as a planter confident that his days of public service were over. A few years had past and the Congress has a large inability to solve national problems. This was partly due to the lack of authority under the Articles of Confederation. This worried Washington so much that he became a delegate on the Virginia legislature to
Thirteen months later, Ben served on the committee that drafted the declaration of independence. He contributed to the Government by serving as a postmaster general, and took over the duties as a president of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. James Madison was known as the Father of the United States Constitution, no other delegate was prepared for the Federal Convention in 1787 like he was. Alexander Hamilton served in the legislature in 1787, which got him chosen as one of the delegates to the Convention. He was at a disadvantage against the other delegates because of how small of a role he played in the debates. He did however end up as one of the three delegates from New York that signed the finished document. George Washington always had concerns for the country’s future, so he was never a fan of the convention because of humanity’s common failings, and he realized that many citizens suspected the convention would be merely a seizure of power from the states by an all powerful central government and he didn’t want to attend because he didn’t want to appear as the power grasping type of person.The U.S. Constitution called "a living document." Though it may seem like a dry piece of paper to you, it really is designed to live and grow as the nation
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was a secret meeting that took place between May and September of 1787. The reason of this meeting was to revise the Articles of Confederation. As well the problem from the Revolutionary War debt. The president of this convention was George Washington. Fifty four individuals attended which most of them were wealthy young persons who wanted to protect the economic of the state. The Constitution that arrived from the convention accepted a government with more limited powers, where each brand would check and balance the authority between the Judicial Executive and Legislative
He drafted a resolution for a Constitutional convention in 1786 while attending the Annapolis Convention. The resolution was to have a more powerful, financially independent federal government.
During this convention, George Washington became a major part of the construction of our present-day Constitution and what it entails. He was mainly on board for the general outline of it and approved of much of what it contained and was even unanimously elected to be the very first chief executive of our country. But this was not how it all began, in fact, George Washington had to be essentially persuaded to even attend the convention due to his very strict views on the government and fear of how easily they can gain too much power. Although
George Washington played one of the most important roles in forming the new federal government in 1787, "he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia"(George). George was also one of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and helped create the Constitution. His role in creating the new government helped get him elected as the first President of the United States, which ensured that the Constitution would be followed.
Roche Essay These days, many wonder why the Constitution was ratified so fast, as there was a large opposition and strong arguments to why it should not be. After all, it only took 10 months for the nine states they needed to ratify it. Furthermore, it only took about two and a half years for the last state, Rhode Island, to ratify it. John P. Roche had an answer to why it was ratified so quickly.
He showed the signs of a strong leader with many likeable qualities when it came to leading a nation. He being a Federalist, was believed and trusted to not abuse the power of being head of a more centralized government. Washington was then later asked to serve as a delegate at the Constitutional conventions. While being an administrator, he truly believed America could create a foundational and strong centralized government to better the people (Janda). Moreover, as for the ratification process, Washington states, “ What will be the general opinion on, or the reception of it, is not for me to decide, nor shall I say anything for or against it. If it be good, I suppose it will work its way good. If bad, it will recoil on the framers." In the same meaning, Although Washington did believe by enforcing a strong centralized government and many believing he’d be a good advocate towards withholding power in government, Washington did not have much of a side towards the ratification. Although he remained rather mutual, it was in Washington’s best interest to persuade the opposing sides to agree with the ratification. Washington had compassion for the other side such as the anti-federalist in the case of imposing them to be in favor of the ratification. With his influential abilities, Washington's goal was to strengthen the union as well as advocate the adoption of the Bill of Right into the Constitution. Washington's views on the Constitution were in favor of strengthening the union, as for the process of ratification, his goal was to persuade the opposing side such as anti-federalists to agree with the ratification
George Washington was reluctant to attend the convention for a few reasons. Part of his reluctance came from recent family tragedies: his favorite brother had died, the health of his mother and sister was failing, and he himself was in poor health. However, the majority of his hesitance to attend came from his fear that going to the convention would hurt his reputation. Also, Washington was not sure that the people were ready for such a big political change.
George Washington, son of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington, was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He served as general and commander in chief of the Revolutionary War, and was later chosen as one of the seven Virginia delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787. The convention met with the purpose of creating a constitution for the newly formed nation of the United States of America. Due to Washington’s background, he was unanimously elected president of the convention. His favor with the other delegates promoted the ratification of the US Constitution in 1788. One year later, in 1789, members of the Electoral College unanimously nominated him as the new nation’s
He was a well respected man. In 1788, the constitution was ratified. Also, the new government was formed. George wanted to go back but the thing was, Americans had other things for him to do. He got all 69 electoral votes.
Washington’s entrance into the political realm began when he was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1758. He began to oppose British- the Proclamation Act in 1763 and the Stamp Act in 1765. He was not very involved in the resistance at that point. Only after the Townshend Acts of 1767 did he become completely involved.
George Washington was offered the presidential position because of his display of leadership during the Revolution. He had the ability to admit that he didn't know everything and had a knack for picking out other people's skills and using them to our country's advantage. He didn’t want to accept the offer because of what he would be getting himself into, the country was facing severe economic and foreign policy problems.