The creation of the American Constitution remains one of the most significant moments in political history, yet the internal mechanics of the Federal Convention of 1787 are often shrouded in myth. In this landmark study, Constitution Making - Conflict and Consensus in the Federal Convention of 1787, Calvin Jillson examines the intricate process of constitution-making by analyzing the empirical evidence of the roll-call voting record. By investigating how individual delegates and state delegations actually voted, Jillson provides a clear picture of how the founding document was forged through a dynamic interplay of philosophical ideals and hard-nosed political interests.
The narrative follows the Convention chronologically, from the introduction of the Virginia Plan to the final signing on September 17. Jillson identifies two distinct levels of decision-making: high-level debates over the general structure of government, where philosophical principles like the "extended republic" took center stage, and lower-level negotiations over specific mechanisms of power. These later discussions often triggered conflicts between large and small states, as well as northern and southern regions, over issues such as representation, the executive branch, and the regulation of commerce and slavery.
Readers will find a sophisticated analysis of how voting coalitions shifted as the agenda moved from broad institutional design to the distribution of authority. The book highlights how regional subcultures—from the moralistic traditions of New England to the individualistic Middle Atlantic and traditionalistic South—influenced the delegates' perspectives. Jillson argues that the Constitution succeeded because no single faction dominated; instead, the final product was a result of constant bargaining and accommodation that left most participants feeling their interests were represented.
Calvin C. Jillson is a Professor of Political Science at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, where he has served since 1995. He previously taught at Louisiana State. In this work he has produced an essential resource for students of American history, constitutional law, and political science. It offers a fresh perspective for anyone interested in how democratic institutions are built and how competing interests can be reconciled to create a lasting political framework. By grounding historical debate in rigorous data analysis, Jillson provides a definitive account of the compromises that shaped the United States.
