The Delegates to the Constitutional Convention - Essay Example

Philadelphia Convention (May 25 to September 17, 1787) was the most significant event in the history of the United States. The major objective of the convention was to redefine the Articles of Confederation that had been set up by Britain. However, the Convention presided over by George Washington resulted in the formulation of the United States’ Constitution. James Madison (Virginia) and Alexander Hamilton (New York) also played crucial roles with Washington in the event. The 55 delegates from various regions attended the convention and actively participated in the inception of the new constitution.

All had extensive knowledge and political experiences, for among the delegates, people like ‘Baldwin, Bassett, Bedford, Dickinson, Few, Franklin, Ingersoll, Livingston, Alexander Martin, Luther Martin, Mercer, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, Read, Sherman, and Williamson’ had already lived or worked in more than one state or colony (America’s Founding Fathers). The level of education also varied and many had a good education from British North American colonies or abroad. Another notable aspect was that almost all delegates namely Blair, Butler, Carroll, Houston, Ingersoll, Jenifer, Johnson, Livingston, Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, Pinckney's, Randolph, Rutledge, Washington, and Wythe were from leading well-to-do families (America’s Founding Fathers).

The delegates represented various regions; Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.