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Constitutional Convention
Purpose of the Constitutional Convention
- The goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation
- It was quickly decided to replace it.
- An urgent Government reform meeting
Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation
Philadelphia
•53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.
•They met in Independence Hall. •On average there were about 30 delegates
there every day. • James Madison was the only delegate to
never miss a day.
Famous Founders•Alexander Hamilton• Leader of strong central
government movement
•George Washington• Presided over the Convention
• James Madison• “Father of the Constitution”
•Benjamin Franklin• Eldest member, speaks of
compromise
Major Divisions
5
Virginia PlanProposed by big states
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Elected by the people
Elected by the 1st house
# of Congressmen determined by state population
Based on Population
Written by James
Madison
Proposed by
Edmund
Randolph
New Jersey PlanSupported by smaller states
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Based on Equality
Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes
Proposed by
William
Paterson
The Great CompromiseThis was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
House of Representatives
Senate
# of reps. would depend on populations
Each state gets 2 representatives
Proposed by Roger
Sherman; written
By several
Slavery• Slavery became an issue
with population. In the south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population
• The south wanted them to count in their population so they would have more votes. Slaves however could not vote.
3/5 Compromise
• They decided to count 3/5 of the total number of slaves as population.
• 5 blacks = 3 whites.
Slaves still could not vote
Proposed by James
Wilson
Other Agreements & Compromises•All agreed that rights to property should be protected
•Benjamin Franklin proposed suffrage for all males but most agreed it should be land owners only
•Most favored a bicameral legislature•Electoral College to elect the President•Argued it should reflect will of the people
•Slave and Trade Compromise: No taxing exports, don’t touch slave trade for 20 years.
• Informal Amendments: Implied powers so Constitution is flexible and can change over time
Principles of the Constitution•Checks and Balances: System of government in
which branches have some power over other branches
•Limited Government: The government is NOT all powerful but can only do what people allow it to do
•Popular Sovereignty: The people rule; power based on the consent of the governed
•Federalism: Division of power between federal and state governments (also local governments)
Separation of Powers( How the Government will be organized )
Legislative Executive Judicial
3 Branches
House of Reps.
Senate
=
Congress Makes Laws
President Court System
Carries out laws Interpret the laws
AmendmentsBefore any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country.
Bill of Rights1st Amendment2nd Amendment3rd Amendment
Signing the Constitution
39 delegates signedbefore leavingPhiladelphia. Eachstate planned to haveits own convention tovote on the adoption.
Nine states were needed to ratify. December 7, 1787
Federalists vs. Anti Federalists... Let the Battle Begin...
Federalists: Supporters of the New ConstitutionGeorge Washington
Ben Franklin
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Anti Federalists: Opposed ratification of the new Constitution1. Would take away liberties2. Create a strong central government3. Ignore the will of the people4. Favor the wealthy
**Wanted the gov. close to the people
Thomas PainePatrick Henry
Ratification
The four remaining states signed by May of 1790!
June 21, 1788New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government. There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov.
Go USA!!
The End