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The Constitutional Convention Of 1787 As A Revolution In Government

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Richard R. Beeman describes the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a “Revolution in Government” because the goal of the Constitutional Convention was not a plan to amend the Articles of Confederation; it was a plan to drastically reform the old form of government, thus, revolutionizing the governing document of that time. The convention set in motion the creation of a completely different form of government. Beeman’s article could also suggest that the relationships between the different politicians was also groundbreaking. For example when “the southern delegates are willing to compromise for the sake of harmony” it shows that they are willing to set aside their differences in order to establish a better form of government for the well-being of the country (Beeman). In the beginning, the ideas of the small state delegates with the ideas of the larger states over the distribution of representation. It was not until Edmund Randolph offered a plan known as the Virginia plan. It provided a bicameral legislature that created two congressional houses and gave states representation primarily on its population. Shortly after, William Paterson proposed the New Jersey plan which made equal representation available in Congress. Moreover, Oliver Ellsworth and …show more content…

At this time, Congress had delegated powers which gave them specific powers that were extremely limited. Such limitations have Congress no power to tax or any power over interstate or foreign commerce. The Articles of Confederation also said that only the states were sovereign. This meant that only state governments had a direct impact on the people. Also, under this governing document congress consisted of one body and each state had a single vote. Amendments could only occur only when all the states approved. Lastly, no chief executive was chosen and no federal courts existed meaning that all laws were enforced by state

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