After an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new constitution for the united states of america.
—alexander hamilton, the federalist paper 1

what is alexander hamilton saying in the quote above?

in february 1787, congress decided that a convention should be convened to revise the articles of confederation, the nation’s first constitution. in may, 55 delegates came to philadelphia, and the constitutional convention began. debates erupted over representation in congress, over slavery, and over the new executive branch. the debates continued through four hot and muggy months. but eventually the delegates reached compromises, and on september 17, they produced the u.s. constitution, replacing the articles with the governing document that has functioned effectively for more than 200 years.