The writing of the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention that met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 was, along with the subsequent ratification of the document in state conventions, a major watershed in U.S. history. An understanding of the plans that were offered, the conflicts that were represented, and the arguments that were made are critical to an understanding of many features of the document that was ratified in 1789 as well as in understanding the Bill of Rights that was adopted in 1791. In The Writing and Ratification of the U.S. Constitution: Practical Virtue in Action, John R. Vile focuses on records of debates at the Convention, and provides a unique window into the contestation surrounding this keystone American political moment.

Preface
Timeline
Chapter 1: The Revolution and the Articles of Confederation Set the Stage
The Colonial Background ¿ The Developing Split with England ¿ The Declaration of Independence ¿ Developments in the States ¿ The Articles of Confederation ¿ The Confluence of State and National Influences ¿ The Annapolis Convention ¿ Shay's Rebellion ¿ The Stage is Set
Chapter 2: The Convention Begins and Randolph Introduces the Virginia Plan
Delegates Assemble ¿ A Collective Portrait of the Delegates ¿ Delegations from the Eastern (Northern, or New England) States ¿ Delegations from the Middle States ¿ Delegations from the Southern States ¿ Selecting Officers and Recording Debates ¿ Rules of the Convention ¿ Randolph Introduces the Virginia Plan ¿ Clarifying What the Virginia Plan Was Proposing to do ¿ Discussion of the Proposed Congress ¿ Discussion of the Proposed Executive ¿ Discussions of the Proposed Judiciary and Related Matters ¿ Further Discussions of the Proposed Legislature Wax Philosophical ¿ Discussion of the Proposed Council of Revision ¿ Discussion of the Proposed Second House ¿ Discussion of the Proposed Congressional Negative of State Laws ¿ Choosing the Executive ¿ Apportioning Congress: A Preview of Things to Come ¿ The End of the Beginning ¿ Report of the Committee of the Whole
Chapter 3: Paterson and Hamilton Offer Alternative Plans
Introduction of the New Jersey Plan ¿ The Initial Defense of the New Jersey Plan ¿ Further Discussion of the New Jersey Plan ¿ Alexander Hamilton Speaks ¿ Hamilton's Plan ¿ Reception of Hamilton's Proposals ¿ Madison's Speech
Chapter 4: Delegates Debate the Report of the Committee of the Whole
Renewed Discussion of the Report of the Committee of the Whole ¿ Bicameralism and Federalism ¿ Terms of the First House ¿ Congressional Pay ¿ Minimum Age for Members of the First House ¿ Concerns Over a Revolving Door ¿ Charles Pinckney's Speech ¿ Discussion of the Second House ¿ Terms of Senators ¿ Franklin Suggest Prayer ¿ Further Discussion of State Representation in Congress ¿ Gunning Bedford's Bombshell ¿ A Committee Tries Its Hand at Compromise ¿ Discussion of Committee Proposals ¿ Creation of a Committee on Original Apportionment of Congress ¿ Further Discussion of Congress ¿ Report of the Committee on Original Apportionment of Congress ¿ The Convention Creates Another Committee to Reconsider Original Apportionment ¿ Counting Slaves by Fractions ¿ The Great Compromise
Chapter 5: From the Great Compromise to the Committee of Detail
The Convention Rejects the Proposed Congressional Negative of State Laws ¿ Selection of the Executive ¿ Executive Term Lengths ¿ Discussion of the Judiciary ¿ Guaranteeing State Governments ¿ Renewed Discussion of the Executive ¿ Impeachment ¿ The Council of Revision ¿ Judicial Selection ¿ Oaths ¿ Ratification of the Constitution ¿ Representation in the Senate ¿ Legislative Selection of the Executive Reconsidered ¿ Executive Re-eligibility and Term Lengths ¿ Property and Anti-Debtor Qualifications for Legislators ¿ Location of the Capital
Chapter 6: Debates Over Report of the Committee of Detail
Principles Applied by the Committee of Detail ¿ An Outline of the Report from the Committee of Detail ¿ Provisions Relative to Congress ¿ Congressional Meeting Times ¿ Voting Qualifications ¿ Qualifications for the House of Representatives ¿ Slavery and Related Issues ¿ Filling Senatorial Vacancies ¿ Durational Citizenship Requirements ¿ Congressional Oversight of Federal Elections ¿ Property Qualifications for Members of Congress ¿ Quorums and Other Congressional Matters ¿ Years of Citizenship for Members of the First House ¿ The Origination of Money Bills ¿ Eligibility of Members of Congress to Other Jobs ¿ Pay for Members of Congress ¿ Council of Revision and Veto Powers ¿ Congressional Powers ¿ First Report from the Committee on State Debts and Militia ¿ Importation and Taxation of Slaves ¿ Protections for Civil Liberties ¿ Governing the Militia and Negating State Laws ¿ Treaties ¿ The Executive Branch ¿ Importation and Taxation of Slaves Reconsidered ¿ Treaties Reconsidered ¿ Pardons and Militia ¿ Judicial Powers ¿ Prohibitions on the States ¿ Supermajorities and Commercial Regulations ¿ The Admission of New States ¿
State Ratification of the Constitution ¿ More Committees ¿ Report by the Committee on Postponed Matters ¿ Further Proposals and Debates Relative to the Committee on Postponed Matters ¿ Constitutional Amendments and Their Ratification
Chapter 7: Wrapping Up Business, Signing, and Ratifying
Congressional Majorities Needed to Override an Executive Veto ¿ Proposals for a Bill of Rights ¿ Tinkering with the Constitution from the Committee of Style and Arrangement ¿ Reservations About the Document ¿ The Signing of the Constitution ¿ Outline of the Constitution ¿ Ratification of the Constitution ¿ Federalists and Antifederalists ¿ State Conventions Meet ¿ Adoption of the Bill of Rights ¿ The Post-Civil War Amendments ¿ The Importance of the Convention and Its Aftermath
Selected Bibliography
Selected Documents
The Declaration of Independence ¿ The Articles of Confederation ¿ The Constitution of the United States ¿ The Virginia Plan ¿ The New Jersey Plan ¿ Federalist No. 10
Index
 
 

John R. Vile is professor of political science and dean of the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro. He is the author and coeditor of numerous books, including Encyclopedia of the First Amendment as well as Encyclopedia of Constitutional Amendments, Proposed Amendments, and Amending Issues, 1789-1995; The Constitutional Convention of 1787; Great American Lawyers; Great American Judges, and Essential Supreme Court Decisions among others.