Constitutional Convention Issues Key Conflicts: Large vs Small States Slave vs Population State vs Federal Authority The debate between states; and the debate between federal verses state governments
Constitutional Convention Conflict Issue? Representation in Congress 1. Virginia Plan bicameral legislation based on state s population (by James Madison) Small states object? 2. New Jersey Plan each state has an equal vote (by William Paterson) Large states object? James Madison, known as the Father of the Constitution
3. Great Compromise a bicameral congress representing both small and large states (by Roger Sherman) A bill has to pass through both bodies to become law Senate two representatives from each state House of Representatives based on state s population Problem? What about slaves? p63
Three-Fifths Compromise Issue: counting slaves for representation in Congress and taxes North: wanted slaves counted for taxation, but not representation South: wanted slaves for representation Compromise: count 3/5 (60%) of the slaves for both taxation and representation
Slave Trade Compromise Issue: Congress and the power to regulate trade South afraid that they would lose the slave trade if Congress is given power North wanted Congress to be able to regulate all trade Compromise: Congress may regulate all trade but promises to not regulate the slave trade for at least 20 years.
Slavery in the Constitution Why did the Founding Fathers keep slavery in the Constitution?
Thomas Jefferson Excerpt from Jefferson s slavery grievance: King George III has waged cruel war against human Nature itself. He has taken away the most sacred rights of Life and Liberty from a distant people who never offended him. He did this by captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere if they did not die a miserable death in their transportation to this new world. These disgraceful practices are the Warfare of the Christian King of Great Britain. He has stopped every attempt to prohibit or to restrain the disgusting business of slavery. He is determined to keep open a market where men are bought and sold. 1. Who is he blaming for slavery? 2. Do you believe that he really opposed slavery? 3. Why might he have wanted to include the grievance in the D of I?
Slavery in the Constitution In the note section (RS), answer the following question for each delegate and historian: According to this person s POV, was slavery a problem, why or why not? (if yes, what was more important than ending slavery? Mr. Rutlidge Mr. Elseworth Mr. Williamson Benjamin Franklin Historian #1 Historian #2 Historian #3
Two Camps Emerge Federalists and Antifederalists Federalists favor strong balance of power The Federalists papers by Hamilton, Madison, Jay argue that this document is better than the weak Articles. Antifederalists favor states rights, want Bill of Rights feared a strong central gov abusing its power against citizens Federalists promise Bill of Rights as long the US Constitution gets ratified (June 1788)
Ratifying the Constitution Sept 17, 1787 convention ends. Ratified June 21, 1788, approval of Constitution by states; nine votes needed Supremacy Clause (Article 6, sect 2) the Constitution is the supreme law of the land December 1791 the Constitution adopts the Bill of Rights
States Rights Directions: Create a Chart using p128-129 [174-175] 1787= Constitutional Convention 1. Group(s) involved (include key figures) 2. Summarize each side s position, using factual supporting evidence 3. Explain how the issue was resolved 1860 = South Carolina s Secession 1832 = Nullification 1957 = Little Rock Central High School Take-A-Stand: How has the power struggle between states and the federal government caused controversy since the country s beginning and do the states have the right to challenge a federal law? Support.
Left-Side States Rights Directions: use page p128-129 [174-175], answer #1. Create a Chart which include the following: 1. Identify the groups on each side of the issue and indicate leading figures in each group 2. Summarize each side s position, include factual supporting evidence 3. Explain how the issue was resolved Take-A-Stand: How has the power struggle between states and the federal government caused controversy since the country s beginning and do the states have the right to challenge a federal law? Support.