Final answer:
The delegates at the Philadelphia Convention chose to ignore their initial instructions to revise the Articles of Confederation and created a new constitutional framework, as they deemed the Articles insufficient for governing the nation effectively. The decision was influenced by the need for a more robust national government to solve economic and authority issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The delegates at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 were initially instructed to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, they chose to ignore these instructions and instead created an entirely new framework for the United States government, which became the U.S. Constitution. One of the reasons this convention is often said to have ignored their instructions is because they moved beyond their mandate to revise the existing Articles, recognizing that merely amending them would not address the profound weaknesses of the national government under the Articles. This decision was controversial because not all states or delegates believed they held the authority to draft a brand new constitution.
Notable leaders such as James Madison, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin participated in the convention, while others like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were abroad, and Patrick Henry distrusted centralized governments and chose not to attend. Despite some delegates’ concerns, and the absence of representatives from some states, the convention delegates conducted their sessions in secret, which allowed them to deliberate freely on the creation of a new government system. Ultimately, the delegates' decision to create a new constitution was driven by their belief that a stronger national framework was necessary to address the significant issues facing the young nation, such as economic turmoil and lack of centralized authority.