Federal Convention

Federal Convention

The Federal Convention of 1787 (also at that time called the Philadelphia Convention. or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia) is now called Constitutional Convention. Its original purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation that defined the first system of the United States government. Though not the delegates’ initial purpose the result was the creation of Constitution of the United States.

The American Revolutionary War occurred between 1775 and 1783. After a period of tension, open warfare between the 13 American colonies and Britain erupted after the British were confronted by a local militia at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

The First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in 1774 did resulted only in the idea of legislative equality with Britain, without significant action.

The Second Continental Congress met in 1775 at the Pennsylvania State House on Philadelphia. It acted as the de facto government of the colonies. In July 1776, it approved the Declaration of Independence. The Articles of Confederation were ratified by all 13 states in 1781. These articles preserved the primacy of the states with a weak central government.

The British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 and the Treaty of Paris between Britain and USA was ratified in 1784.

Congress called for a Federal convention in 1787. The resulting Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1788, allowing the formation of the new federal government in compliance with the new constitution and a presidential election.