Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton

Anti-Federalist Federalist

February, 1787

• Congress of the Confederation called on all 13 states to send delegates to a federal convention.

• The purpose of the convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation

Delegates

• A person who is authorized to act as a representative for others

Who were some of the delegates?

George Washington

• Had retired to Mt. Vernon estate at the end of the Revolutionary War

• Age 55…still one of the best known and most respected men in America.

• Over six feet tall and weighed 210 pounds

• He served as President of the convention but did not often participate in the debate.

Benjamin Franklin

• Age 81

• Senior statesman of the convention

• Writer, scientist, inventor and diplomat

• Missed some of the sessions due to health.

• Known as a conciliator during the debates.

Conciliator- A person who settles disputes or

restores friendships.

James Madison

• Known as Father of the Constitution.

• Floor leader of the Convention.

• Very well educated.

• Took detailed notes.

• Spoke very softly.

• 36 years old at the time…only 5’4”

Alexander Hamilton

• Brilliant Lawyer and influential in New York politics.

• 32 years old…had served as Washington’s secretary during the Revolutionary War.

• Wanted a strong national government.

• Thought we should have one President chosen for life.

What were the delegates like as a whole?

• Average age was 43.

• ½ were lawyers

• Many were politicians, merchants, plantation owners, doctors, college presidents and college professors.

Who was not there?• Patrick Henry refused to participate because he

"smelt a rat in Philadelphia, tending toward the monarchy.

• Thomas Jefferson was serving as Minister to France.

• John Adams was serving as Minister to England

• John Hancock and Samuel Adams were busy with local and business...Adams not selected to continue as a delegate. They did not expect a new Constitution.

Groups not represented

• Women- Abigail Adams wrote

“I desire you would remember the ladies,

and be more generous to them than your

ancestors.”

• Free Africans and Native Americans lacked political rights.

• White males without property lacked rights as well.

Rhode Island

Chose to boycott the convention as they felt

it would take state’s rights away.

Boycott- to avoid using, buying or dealing with as a means of protest.

Opening of the Convention

Quorum- The minimum number of members

who must be present for the valid

transaction of business. (May 25, 1787)

9 states

George Washington• George Washington was unanimously

elected president of the convention.

Some numbers

• Framers met 89 of the 116 days from May 25-September 17th.

• An average of 40 of the 55 delegates attended daily sessions.

• Decided that all debate would be in secret.

By May 30th

• In just five days into the convention, it was decided that rather than revise the Articles of Confederation, the delegates would write a completely new Constitution.

Two sides emerge

Federalists- Led by James Madison and

Alexander Hamilton. These framers were

pro-constitution and believed that a more

powerful central government was needed.

Anti-Federalists- Led by Patrick Henry, John

Hancock and Samuel Adams. Felt too much

power was given to the central government

and not enough to the states.

The Virginia Plan

• 3 Branches

• Bicameral legislature with each house representation based either upon the state’s population or how much money it gave in support of the central government.

• Gave strong power to the central government including the power to enforce decisions.

The New Jersey Plan

• Smaller state’s response to the Virginia Plan

• Called for a Unicameral, one house, government with all states represented equally.

• Called for a weak central government that was based upon the state’s determining the fate of the central government.

Politics: The Art of CompromiseThe Connecticut Compromise- Congress would

be composed of 2 houses. The smaller of the two,

The Senate, where the states would be

represented equally. The larger, The House of

Representatives, would be based upon a state’s

population.

The Three-Fifths Compromise- Southerners

wanted slaves counted in the population, Northerners did

not. They settled on slaves being counted as 3/5 a person.

A new national government• The framers quickly determined it would be best to

establish a new national government that would consist of a supreme Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches.

Politics: The Art of CompromiseThe Connecticut Compromise- Congress would

be composed of 2 houses. The smaller of the two,

The Senate, where the states would be

represented equally. The larger, The House of

Representatives, would be based upon a state’s

population.

The Three-Fifths Compromise- Southerners

wanted slaves counted in the population, Northerners did

not. They settled on slaves being counted as 3/5 a person.

The Federalist Papers85 essays written by

Alexander Hamilton,

James Madison and

John Jay. Set out

arguments for the new

Constitution in an effort

to get the New York

legislature to ratify it.

One of the most

important literary

works in US history.

Ratification of the Constitution

• The Constitution was approved by the delegates on September 17, 1787. It was sent to the states for ratification on September 28, 1787.

Inauguration of the New Government

• The new Congress convened on March 4, 1789.

• It would meet to count electoral votes that would determine the first President of the United States.

• On April 6, by unanimous vote, George Washington is elected our first President.