May 25 – Sep 17, 1787 in Philadelphia. 55 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island boycotted) convened to revise the Articles of Confederation — but instead created an entirely new Constitution.
The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government: no executive, no judiciary, no power to tax, and unanimous consent needed for amendments. Shays' Rebellion (1786-87) exposed its fatal weakness.
AP Key Concepts
KC 3.2.II: The debates over representation, executive power, and slavery reflect the tensions between state sovereignty and national authority that have defined American politics.
Federalism: The Constitution created a federal system — a division of power between national and state governments — that was unprecedented in world history.
Tags
ConstitutionVirginia PlanNew Jersey PlanGreat CompromiseThree-FifthsFederalism
Core Debates & Compromises
Virginia Plan
AP Exam Tip: The Constitutional Convention is tested in Period 3 (1754–1800). Focus on WHY compromises were necessary, how they reflected regional tensions (North vs South, large vs small states), and how unresolved issues (slavery) created conditions for the Civil War 73 years later.