Final answer:
James Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton, was key in initiating the Philadelphia Convention in May 1787, which ultimately led to the drafting of the United States Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Along with Alexander Hamilton, it was James Madison who was instrumental in calling for the Philadelphia Convention in May 1787 to discuss the Articles of Confederation. During the Annapolis Convention in 1786, only five states were represented which was not enough to revise the Articles. Consequently, Hamilton and Madison requested that all states send delegates to a new convention in Philadelphia the following year.
This 1787 gathering was intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates, including prominent figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, quickly decided to draft a completely new document. This resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the governing document of the nation. It is important to note that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were not involved in this convention as they were abroad serving as diplomats at the time. The correct answer to the question is D. James Madison.