A delegate is a person who is chosen or elected to represent a group of people and speak on their behalf. In the context of the Constitutional Convention, delegates were individuals selected by their respective states to attend and participate in the creation of the United States Constitution.
Related terms
Ratify: Ratify means to formally approve or accept something, such as a treaty, constitution, or agreement. For example, after delegates drafted the Constitution at the Convention, it had to be ratified by each state before it could become law.
Federalism: Federalism is a political system that divides power between a central government and regional governments (such as states). It allows for shared governance and cooperation between different levels of authority.
Constitutional Convention: The Constitutional Convention was held in 1787 in Philadelphia with the purpose of drafting a new constitution for the United States. Delegates from each state gathered together to discuss and create the framework for our government.