Who Was the President of the US Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the Continental Congress?
The question of who was the president of the US Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the Continental Congress is a bit misleading. While there were presidents of different governmental bodies during this period, it’s important to distinguish between them to fully understand the historical context.
The President of the US in Congress Assembled
Under the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, there was the office of the President of the US in Congress Assembled. This position was occupied by Arthur St. Clair from February to October 1787. Arthur St. Clair, a general from the American Revolutionary War, held the office primarily as a presiding officer rather than taking on extensive administrative responsibilities.
St. Clair's greatest accomplishment was the passage of the Northwest Ordinance, which assigned authority to the federal government for westward expansion. This legislative action was crucial in enabling the United States to grow as new states were added rather than states expanding their borders westward.
The Constitutional Convention
Upon the convening of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the delegates unanimously agreed to select George Washington as the president of the convention. This decision was a consensus that everyone could agree on. However, as the convention progressed, the responsibilities and the office of the President of the US were undergoing a transformation.
The Evolution of the Presidency
Before the implementation of the US Constitution in 1789, the office of President of the United States did not exist. The closest equivalent during this period was the President of the Continental Congress. This presidential role was merely a presiding position without significant executive duties.
The President of the Continental Congress presided over meetings of the Continental Congress but had no other executive duties. Some of the notable figures who held this position include: John Hancock John Jay
During the majority of 1787, Arthur St. Clair, a delegate from Pennsylvania, was the President of the Continental Congress. This position, while influential in its time, was distinct from the modern presidency as it pertained to the functioning of the Continental Congress rather than a national executive leadership role.
Conclusion
The question of who was the president of the US Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the Continental Congress highlights the evolution of leadership roles in the early history of the United States. While Arthur St. Clair held a significant position as the President of the US in Congress Assembled, the role of the President of the Continental Congress provided a precursor to the modern presidency that would emerge under the new Constitution in 1789.