George Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. His leadership helped guide the debates and ensured the convention's proceedings were conducted with authority.
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States but proved ineffective in unifying the states and governing the country. The U.S. Constitution replaced it to create a stronger central government.
John Locke’s ideas on natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, heavily influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Locke’s social contract theory also informed the ideas of governance and consent of the governed.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in 1787. This is where the U.S. Constitution was drafted.
The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws, which led to economic instability and unrest. The U.S. Constitution was designed to address these issues by strengthening federal authority.
