The purpose of the Philadelphia Convention was *
to declare independence from Great Britain.
to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
to secretly take control of the new states.
to improve the Articles of Confederation.

The Philadelphia Convention, held in 1787, was a pivotal moment in American history where delegates gathered not just to tinker with the Articles of Confederation, but to create a whole new framework for governing the nation. Tired of the weaknesses of the existing system—like lack of tax enforcement and interstate disputes—leaders like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin aimed to establish a durable federal government that could unite the states and adapt to future challenges.

One interesting tidbit is that the convention was shrouded in secrecy, with delegates agreeing not to disclose discussions outside the meeting. This allowed them to freely debate ideas and forge compromises—like the Great Compromise that established a bicameral legislature. The final product, the U.S. Constitution, was then sent to the states for ratification, laying the foundation for the American democratic system we know today!