Constitutional Convention
The objective of the first Constitutional Convention, in Annapolis, was to address national issues such as a weak government and a failing economy. However, only twelve delegates from five states attended the convention. Those in attendance agreed to call for another convention the following year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to address the Articles. This time fifty-five delegates made the trip. Every state was represented at the convention, except for Rhode Island, which chose not to attend. The delegates consisted of men from diverse backgrounds, some very wealthy and others of average stature. Many of the emerging leaders were considered well educated.
The convention began with the election of George Washington to serve as convention president. The next main concern of the meeting was determining whether to abandon the Articles of Confederation or to simply amend or revise them. This question caused a great division among the delegates.
One delegate who was quite vocal in the meeting was James Madison. Madison was from a wealthy family in Virginia, had been well educated by private tutors, and had graduated from Princeton University. Additionally, he had devoted an entire year to intense political study before attending the convention in Philadelphia, and he came to the meeting with a definite plan of action.