Final answer:
Delegates from twelve states met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to address weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution after recognizing that amendments would not suffice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Philadelphia Convention of 1787
In May of 1787, delegates from twelve of the thirteen states came to Philadelphia to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Concerns over the ineffectiveness of the Articles spurred the meeting, including issues of governance, inter-state relations, and the lack of a strong central government. Notably, influential figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and many others were present. However, certain prominent individuals like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were abroad and could not attend. The Constitutional Convention saw radical change, as the delegates quickly moved from the goal of amending the Articles to creating a new Constitution that established a stronger federal government to overcome the Articles' shortcomings.
The delegates met secretly in Independence Hall, initially with the express purpose of revising the Articles but ended up proposing a new framework for American governance after recognizing the Articles' limitations. Debates centered around the representation of states, the powers of the national government, and creating checks and balances against potential governmental overreach. This culminated in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which was released on September 17, 1787, after four months of deliberation.