What procedures were used at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention was a very important event in our history. It was here that our current plan of government was developed. We know that twelve states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Only Rhode Island didn’t send delegates. We know a lot about what happened at the Constitutional Convention because of the notes that James Madison took at the convention.

There were several procedures that were followed. One procedure was that delegates would work...

The Constitutional Convention was a very important event in our history. It was here that our current plan of government was developed. We know that twelve states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Only Rhode Island didn’t send delegates. We know a lot about what happened at the Constitutional Convention because of the notes that James Madison took at the convention.

There were several procedures that were followed. One procedure was that delegates would work in private. The delegates agreed the meetings that took place wouldn’t be open to the public. They believed they should complete their work and then present the final document to the American people and to the state governments. They didn’t want bits and pieces of legislation to leak out. To keep information from getting out, they didn’t even open the windows in Independence Hall. We also know that delegates agreed that votes that were taken weren’t binding. Thus, if they made an agreement early in the convention and later realized that agreement had flaws, they could go back and revise the earlier agreement.

Overall, there were over 20 rules the delegates agreed to follow. To see the complete list, click here. There were many procedures followed at the Constitutional Convention.