See Also: Constitutional Convention, the(dictionary)
Constitutional Convention(encyclopedia)
constitutional(medicine)
constitutional(dictionary)
Constitutional Act(encyclopedia)
constitutional cause(medicine)
Constitutional (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
constitutional monarchy(encyclopedia)
constitutional 1, adjective(dictionary)
constitutional 2, noun(dictionary)

Constitutional Convention (sh)




(May-September 1787) Assembly that drafted the Constitution of the United States.

All states but Rhode Island sent delegates in response to a call by the Annapolis Convention for a meeting in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation. The delegates decided to replace the Articles with a document that strengthened the federal government. An important issue was the apportioning of legislative representation. Two plans were presented: the Virginia plan, favoured by the large states, apportioned representatives by population or wealth; the New Jersey plan, favoured by the small states, provided for equal representation for each state. A compromise established the bicameral Congress to ensure both equal and proportional representation. The document was approved on September 17 and sent to the states for ratification.