Who led the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

• A. John Adams
• B. George Washington
• C. Thomas Jefferson
• D. Benjamin Franklin

Answer: (B)

The main idea this question tests is who chaired the Constitutional Convention and why that leadership mattered. George Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over the gathering in Philadelphia in 1787. His respected stature as a revolutionary war leader gave the convention legitimacy and helped keep debates orderly, encouraging delegates to reach compromises. He did not push a personal plan himself, but his presence provided stability and a sense of national purpose, which was crucial for shaping a new framework of government.

John Adams was serving as a diplomat in Europe, Thomas Jefferson was in France as an ambassador, and Benjamin Franklin did participate but did not lead the proceedings. Washington’s role as the presiding officer is what set the tone for the convention and helped it move forward.