The Constitutional Convention Chapter 2 Section 4
Constitutional Convention May 1787 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 74 delegates allowed, 55 attended, 39 signed final
Delegates to the Convention Had lots of practical experience in politics -7 had served as governors of their states -39 had served in Congress -many had helped write their state constitutions -8 had signed the DOI -6 had signed the AOC -presence of George Washington gave convention credibility -Benjamin Franklin played role in debates -James Wilson: read Franklin s speeches and did detail work on Constitution -Gouverneur Morris wrote final draft
James Madison Delegate from Va Advocate for strong national government Notes are major source of info on convention s work Called Father of the Constitution; author of basic plan of government that convention eventually adopted
Organization George Washington was chosen to preside over meetings Each state have 1 vote on all questions Simple majority vote of states present to make decisions No meetings could be held unless delegates from at least 7 of 13 states were present No public or press could attend sessions so delegates could talk freely
Key Agreements Delegates agreed to abandon former government (AOC) Consensus -favored limited and representative government -division of powers among legislative, executive and judicial branches -limit power of the states to coin money or interfere with creditors rights -strengthen national government -debates and compromises over how to put these ideas into practice
Plans for government Edmund Randolph (Va) The Virginia Plan (May 29, 1787) Proposed by smaller states The New Jersey Plan (June 15, 1787) 1) Strong national legislature/bicameral 2) Strong national executive 3) National judiciary Considered a brilliant move by nationalists After modifications became the basis of new Constitution Debated for 2 weeks Smaller states realized larger (more populous) states would be in control of a strong national government under the Virginia Plan Less-powerful government with more independence for states William Paterson (NJ) counterproposal Government based on keeping major features of AOC 1) Unicameral legislature 2) 1 vote for each state 3) Congress strengthened 4) Weak executive consisting of more than one person 5) National judiciary w/ limited power appointed by executive New Jersey Plan rejected
Constitutional Convention Convention deadlocked in summer over representation of states in Congress Large states = based on population Small states = based on equality
The Connecticut Compromise Legislative Branch bicameral House of Representatives: representation based on population; people elect Senate: 2 members from each state; chosen by State legislatures Larger states have advantage in HOR; smaller states protected by equality in Senate
Three-Fifths Compromise Disagreement over how to determine how many representatives each state would have in the House Southern states wanted slaves to be counted to give more representation Northern states wanted slaves counted for tax purposes Instead of counting all slaves, only 3/5 were counted for tax and representation purposes
Commerce and the Slave Trade Disagreement over commerce and slave trade South feared North would have enough votes in Congress to impose taxes on exports or to ratify trade agreements that would hurt the South South feared North would interfere with slave trade Congress could not ban the slave trade until 1808 Congress given the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce Congress forbidden to impose export taxes; U S still one of the few nations that does not tax the goods it exports
Slavery Only mention in Constitution is that escaped slaves to free states must be returned Northern states looked at gradual abolition Delegates knew Southern states would not ratify Constitution if it interfered with slavery Slavery left for future generations
Other Compromises How to elect the President Electoral College System President s 4 year term
Committee of Style and Arrangements September 8, 1787 Cleaned up final draft of Constitution 39 delegates sign Political debate over ratification
Debate over ratification: Federalists vs Anti-Federalists Federalists: For ratification of Constitution Anti-Federalists: Against ratification of Constitution
Federalist Alexander Hamilton/James Madison (Generalization) Supported by merchants and others in cities and coastal regions Argued that without a strong national government there would be anarchy Only a strong national government could protect nation from enemies abroad and solve internal problems 8 of 13 states had bills of rights in state constitutions Promised to add a bill of rights as the first order of business when new government met
Anti-Federalists Patrick Henry led (Generalization) Supported by inland farmers and laborers who feared strong national government Criticism: Constitution written in secrecy Constitution was extralegal Constitution took important powers from the states Constitution lacked a bill of rights Without a bill of rights a strong national government might take away th rights that were won in the Revolution
Progress toward ratification Promise of adding a bill of rights turned the tide toward ratifying the Constitution Small states ratified quickly because they were pleased with equal representation in Senate George Washington, James Madison and Edmund Randolph convinced Virginia to support Federalists and ratify Constitution June 25, 1788 Alexander Hamilton argued in NY for 6 weeks; Hamilton, Madison and John Jay wrote essays in favor of new Constitution; 80 essays called The Federalist NY ratifies Constitution July 26, 1788
Ratifying the Constitution 9 of 13 states had to ratify (accept) for it to become law Delaware the 1st to ratify Political debate over Constitution lasted until May 29, 1790 when Rhode Island became the last to approve Constitution went into effect June 21, 1788 when New Hampshire became the 9th to ratify
Progress toward ratification George Washington elected President; Oath of office April 30, 1789 John Adams elected Vice President
Progress toward ratification Voters elected 22 senators and 59 representatives March 4, 1789 Congress meet for 1st time in Federal Hall in New York City James Madison introduces set of amendments during 1st session; Congress approves 12, ratifies 10 1st 10 Amendments = the Bill of Rights
Let s make some connections Nationalists -> The Virginia Plan -> Federalists States Rights ->The New Jersey Plan -> Anti- Federalists