Question

Of the forty-two delegates who attended most of the meetings, thirty-nine actually signed the Constitution. Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts refused to sign due in part due to the lack of a bill of rights.

A) U.S. Declaration of Independence
B) Articles of Confederation
C) U.S. Constitution
D) Gettysburg Address

Answer 1

The delegates Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign the U.S. Constitution during the 1787 Constitutional Convention due to the absence of a Bill of Rights, which led to significant debates and the eventual inclusion of the first ten amendments to ensure protections of individual liberties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The document that the delegates were discussing, and which Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign due to the lack of a Bill of Rights, was the U.S. Constitution. This historical event is directly associated with the Constitutional Convention of 1787, a pivotal moment in the political development of the United States. During the convention, a total of 55 delegates met but only 42 attended regularly, and while 39 signed the document, these three prominent figures did not. Their refusal stemmed from concerns that the Constitution did not adequately protect individual liberties.

The drafting of the U.S. Constitution marked a significant departure from the Articles of Confederation, aiming to create a stronger central government while still preserving the autonomy of the states. It also became the subject of intense debate regarding the protection of individual rights, leading to the eventual creation of the Bill of Rights, which was essential for securing the ratification of the Constitution by several states.