Democratic and Undemocratic Aspects of the Constitutional Convention :: American America History

Democratic and Undemocratic Aspects of the inbuilt ConventionThe Articles of Confederation was the first governwork forcet of the United States. The Articles had created a truly weak national governwork forcet. At the time the Articles were approved, they had served the will of the people. Americans had just fought a war to get freedom from a great national authority--King George lead (Patterson 34). But after this government was put to use, it was evident that it was not dismissal to keep peace between the states. The conflicts got so frequent and malicious that George capital letter wondered if the United States should be called a Union (Patterson 35). Shays Rebellion finally make it evident to the public that the government needed a change.A classify of men with political power and status, an elite by definition, got together and decided the solution to the problem of government was to have a group of men evaluate the Articles and make the proper changes. At least, th is was what Congress horizon the take aim of the Constitutional Convention was when they approved it (Patterson 37).The first step of the Constitution was undemocratic. No popular vote was taken either directly or indirectly on the proposition to approve a convention (Beard 14). The group of men who wanted the convention was skillful in getting it approved in that their proposal of it was a surprise. This gave the Federalists an upper hand. Their opponents, the Anti-Federalists, could not refuse to a word of honor of possible, and perhaps necessary, reforms. By refusing, they could lose the support of the public very considerably (Roche 18). The next step of the convention was more democratic, in that there were delegates move to Philadelphia by the state legislatures (Roche 18). Since the legislatures were chosen by elections in the states, the delegates to the convention were indirectly chosen by the people. Rhode Island did not send delegates, but there was an fortun e for them to do so. They decided against sending anyone since they knew they would not be welcomed by the convention. jam Madison, a delegate and one of the main supporters of a stronger national authority, had thought ahead and drew up the Virginia Plan before the convention in Philadelphia began. Thus, it became the first discussion of the committee (Roche 19).