What events led to the Constitutional Convention?

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  • Apr 11, 1764. Sugar Act.
  • Apr 11, 1765. Quartering and Stamp Act.
  • Apr 19, 1775. Start of the Revolutionary War.
  • Jul 4, 1776. Declaration of Independence.
  • Nov 15, 1777. Articles of Confederation Created.
  • Jan 1, 1780. Rebellions.
  • Jan 1, 1786. Annapolis Convention.
  • Aug 26, 1786. Shays' Rebellion.



Keeping this in view, what events led to the creation of the Constitution?

Below are some of the important dates that led to the creation of the Constitution: 1775 — The Revolutionary War between the Colonies and Britain begins. 1776 —Declaration of Independence written; the 13 colonies become the 13 states, but are not yet united under one central government.

Also Know, what inspired the Constitutional Convention in 1787? There were several factors that led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The main issue was that the government created by the Articles of Confederation had many weaknesses. The federal government was unable to do many things. This made it very hard for the federal government to raise money to pay its debts.

Furthermore, what events led to the dismantling of the Articles of Confederation and the call for a constitutional convention?

The problems caused by a weak national government eventually led to the dismantling of the Articles of Confederation. A citizens' rebellion in Massachusetts known as Shays's Rebellion soon led to a Constitutional Convention.

What were the main problems with the Articles of Confederation that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

One of the biggest problems was that the national government had no power to impose taxes. To avoid any perception of “taxation without representation,” the Articles of Confederation allowed only state governments to levy taxes. To pay for its expenses, the national government had to request money from the states.

26 Related Question Answers Found

What are the first three words of the Constitution?

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of

What is the main purpose of constitution?

The Constitution has three main functions. First it creates a national government consisting of a legislative, an executive, and a judicial branch, with a system of checks and balances among the three branches. Second, it divides power between the federal government and the states.

What was the constitution influenced by?

Both have important predecessors—our Constitution was influenced by the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights of 1689, and the Declaration by John Locke's writings on the consent of the governed and by a document close to home for Thomas Jefferson, the draft version by George Mason of Virginia's Declaration of

What happened after the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention took place from May 14 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The point of the event was decide how America was going to be governed. Although the Convention had been officially called to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, many delegates had much bigger plans.

How was the constitutional convention organized?

Four years after the United States won its independence from England, 55 state delegates, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, convene in Philadelphia to compose a new U.S. constitution.

What happened before the Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation: The Constitution Before the Constitution. The Constitution would not be ratified and established until 1788. America's first attempt at a government was based on a document called “The Articles of Confederation.”

Who wrote and signed the Constitution?

U.S. Constitution For Dummies
The signers of the two documents have some overlap — Benjamin Franklin signed both, but John Hancock wrote large only on the Declaration of Independence. The delegates are here grouped by the states they represented: Connecticut: William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman.

What does the Constitution mean?

The Constitution of the United States established America's national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. Under America's first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries.

What event led to the downfall of the Articles of Confederation?


The major downfall of the Articles of Confederation was simply weakness. The federal government, under the Articles, was too weak to enforce their laws and therefore had no power. The Continental Congress had borrowed money to fight the Revolutionary War and could not repay their debts.

How did the Constitution fix the Articles of Confederation?

Congress could not negotiate trade with foreign nations. Each state had the responsibility to manage its own trade agreements. The right to create a uniform currency was delegated to the federal government. Congress was given the power to levy and collect taxes for the federal government.

What was one strength of the Articles of Confederation?

what was one strength of the articles of confederation? 1.It allowed states to make decisions for themselves. 3.It gave congress the authority to overturn decisions made by the president. 4.It provided congress with a means to regulate trade.

How did the Constitutional Convention reflect compromises?

One of the major compromises in the Constitutional Convention was between the small states and big states. The small states wanted each state to have the same number of representatives in Congress. The big states wanted representation based on population. This compromise has worked for more than 200 years.

What were some strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

  • Only one vote per state regardless of size.
  • Congress had no power to regulate trade between the states, each state could tax trade between states.
  • Revenue comes from states, national government could not tax.
  • Could not force states to obey the laws.
  • No national courts.
  • Amendments required approval of all 13 states.

What were the biggest benefits of the Constitution over the Articles of Confederation?


The Constitution created a government that's stronger than the one created by the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution created Federalism, Dividing the power between the states and the Central Government. To make sure the parts of the Federal Government weren't to strong.

What are 5 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Terms in this set (5)
  • No taxing power. The confederation gov't could not require states to pay taxes.
  • Inflation. The continental dollars were not backed by gold or silver so their value was inflated.
  • Jealousy and Arguing among states.
  • Tariff Wars(tax wars)
  • Foreign Affairs in Shambles.

Who attended the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

Key Delegates
There were 55 delegates who attended the Convention. The most well-known attendees for each state were: Virginia - George Washington, James Madison, Edmund Randolph, George Mason. Pennsylvania - Benjamin Franklin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, James Wilson.