James+Wilson-2

Lenny Rallo James Wilson


 * __​ JAMES WILSON __**



In 1787, in the state house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the Constitutional Convention took place. The Convention took place 11 years later than when the Declaration of Independance was signed in the same exact place. For four months, 55 delagates from a few states met up to create a constutitution for a federal republic that would eventually last a long time.
 * __INTRO__**




 * __Background Info:__** Wilson was a signer of the Declaration of Independance and was elected twice to Continental Congress. "James Wilson leading legal theoretician and was one of the six original justices appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court". Wilson was born in Carskerdo, Scotland on September 24, 1742. Wilson went to many universities there in Scotland and didn't receive a degree. Wilson attended St. Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, studying how to be a Presbyterian minister. "Soon after, Wilson's father died, and Wilson rejected seminary and went to Endinburgh to study bookeeping. Wilson saw little future in Scotland and came to America in 1765 and lived in New York City".

James Wilson had one main role at the Convention. Wilson's main role was to support the idea of Separation of powers, and fight to make sure that the Government would be divided into three main branches.
 * __James Wilson's Role at the Convention:__**

Present Absent Act 1- all Act 2- all Act 3- all Act 4- all Totals- 89 Percent- 100%
 * __Wilson's Attendance Record at the Constitutional Convention__**

After seeing Wilson's attendance record, I learned that he was very dedicated. This shows that Wilson had an interest in the Constitutional Convention. Also, this proves that Wilson wanted a change in the government. Since Wilson showed up at every meeting, he clearly knew more about the government than others. Overall, this shows that James Wilson was a smarter than most people by showing up to every meeting.

Wilson believed in checks and balances. Checks and balances are when each branch of the Government can check on eachother and make changes to things that they think will benifit from a change. Wilson believed that checks and balances prevented tyranny against the Constitution.
 * __DBQ Safeguards__**

Wilson had many ideas about separation of powers. Wilson argued that separation of powers should be an act to prevent tyranny against the Constitution. Separation of powers put the Government into three branches consisting of the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. This prevented the Government's power from becoming too strong.

James Wilson's supported Federalism for many reasons. Wilson argued that there should be a National Government to provide more to the nation, and then state Governments to provide for each state. This would then create equal power to states, and the power wouldn't be focused in one area of government. Overall, Federalism means that power should be distributed into different governments to prevent tyranny against the Consitution.

Finally, James agreed with equal reps for Big and Small states. Wilson reasoned that if there were equal representatives for big and small states, power would get evened out. If bigger states had more reps, that state could over rule the smaller states. Having two reps for every state ensured equal power for every state.

Wilson supported parts of the Bill of Rights. Wilson agreed with the idea of separation of powers. He thought that this idea would help guard tyranny against the Constitution. By separating the branches of government, power was distributed evenly to people and states. Wilson agreed with this, and liked how power was evenly distributed, and no problems occured.
 * __Bill Of Rights__**



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