1. The Constitutional Convention of 1787

2. Confederation to Constitution
Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to the effort to draft a new constitution.

3. State delegates met in Philadelphia and decided not to revise the Articles of Confederation but to write a new constitution.
George Washington was elected President of the Constitutional Convention.

4. Delegates debated over how much power should be given to the new government and how large and small states should be represented in the new government.

5. Ratification of the Constitution
9 of the 13 states had to vote in favor of the Constitution before it could become law.
There was much public debate over the new Constitution. The debate called for a Bill of Rights.
The Constitution was adopted in 1788.