Impacts of Virginians

George Washington President of the Convention Did not participate in most of the debates Electoral college unanimously chooses him to be president

James Madison Kept best records of the Convention At the Convention, he authored the “Virginia Plan,” which proposed a federal government of three separate branches (legislative, executive, judicial) and became the foundation for the structure of the new government. He later authored much of the Bill of Rights.

George Mason Authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights Reiterated the notion that basic human rights should not be violated by governments Becomes basis for the Bill of Rights

Thomas Jefferson Writes the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom) Outlawed the established church—or the practice of government support for one favored church

Bill of Rights

Reason To get the Antifederalists to agree to the Constitution, to get the Constitution ratified Protect people’s natural rights

Contributions From Virginians James Madison consulted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom when drafting the amendments that eventually became the United States Bill of Rights.

Contributions From Virginians James Madison consulted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom when drafting the amendments that eventually became the United States Bill of Rights.