Timeline Examination of the Constitutional Convention

1786-1788

Timeline Examination of the

CONSTITUTIONAL

What was debated at the Convention?

CONVENTION

introduction

1780s

Building Context

During the Confederation period (1781–-1787), states ignored congressional requests for taxes, passed tariffs (import taxes) on each other, nearly went to war over trade and territorial disputes, and routinely overlooked the provisions of the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War. Many Founders knew something needed to be done to reunite the states, but what could be the solution? In preparation for exploring this timeline, watch this video of Julie Silverbrook, constitutional expert, discussing how and why the Constitutional Convention came into being.

The Annapolis Convention

September 1786

1786

On September 12, 1786, a dozen delegates from five states gathered at Mann’s Tavern in Annapolis, just down the street from the Maryland State House. Their assigned task was to discuss measures to enable the Confederation Congress to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. Instead, this meeting, later called the Annapolis Convention, issued a report written by Alexander Hamilton, citing “important defects in the system of the federal government” under the Articles of Confederation. Members proposed a convention in Philadelphia the following May to discuss possible improvements to the Articles. This proposed convention would become the Constitutional Convention.

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The Confederation Congress Endorses the Constitutional Convention

February 21, 1787

1787

In February 1787, the Confederation Congress endorsed the idea of a Constitutional Convention to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. It provided a mandate for the convention to “revise the Articles” to strengthen the national government under Congress.

Watch

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Journals Notes of the Continental Congress Session from the Library of Congress

Analysis and Reflection

By reading this essay, you will learn that the Annapolis Convention marked a decisive moment in the movement for constitutional reform. Can you think of any examples of when a law or policy was changed entirely? What about in your community, school, or sports league? Why do you think it was necessary to change the law or policy instead of making a small adjustment or amendment to it?

The Annapolis Convention

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Julie Silverbrook, Executive Director of the Constitutional Sources Project, discusses how and why the Constitutional Convention came into being.