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Why did the 1787 convention last several months? What does this suggest about the men who wrote the US Constitution?

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Final answer:

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 endured for several months due to the complexity of debates and the need to create a new, balanced federal government. This extended period suggests the Framers' commitment to building a lasting foundational document, which resulted in the United States Constitution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was originally convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, but it became quickly apparent that a complete overhaul was necessary. Economic turmoil, including post-war debt and the inability of the Confederation to tax, along with the uprising known as Shays' Rebellion, demonstrated the inadequacy of the Articles. The long duration of the convention, which took place from May to September, was due to the extensive debates and discussions that arose over creating a balance of power that addressed the interests of both large and small states, the representation of slaves, the taxation of imports and exports, and the election of the President.

Delegates like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton pushed for a new, robust federal government, while addressing polarizing issues like the representation and power of the national government versus the states. This painstaking process, reflected in the multiple months the Convention lasted, suggests that the delegates, or Framers, were thoughtful, deliberate, and committed to constructing a viable, lasting government framework. Their work culminated in the creation of the United States Constitution, a monument to democracy and a blueprint for government that holds to this day.

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