2-4-13 what is compromise? is compromise necessary? when have you compromised? why did you...
TRANSCRIPT
2-4-13
What is Compromise? Is compromise necessary? When have you compromised? Why did you compromise?
Chap 2.4 Creating the Constitution
Met in Philadelphia May 25, 1787George Washington elected president of the convention
Worked in SecretFramers new generation of American politicsChanging DirectionOriginal goal improve the Articles of ConfederationMay 30, 5 days after starting, adopted resolution to create a new government.
Compromise Needed to Create the Constitution
Compromise important part of government
13 States very different in geography and economic situations
Wide differences of opinion among delegates, but delegates agreed on basic fundamental issues
Need of new national government, federal in nature
Concepts of Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances
Key Compromises
Connecticut (Great) Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Two Plans Proposed for New Government
Virginia Plan Large States
Number of Houses: 3 2 – Bicameral Branches
of Representation:
Government By size or wealth
Stronger Central Government
New Jersey Plan Small States
Number of Houses: 1 – Unicameral
Representation: Equal for all states
Weak Central Government
Connecticut (Great) Compromise
Problem? Representation in Congress
Proposals Small States wanted Equal Representation Large States wanted by Population or
Wealth Solution?
House of Representatives represented by Population as desired by Large States
Senate has Equal Representation as desired by Small States
Three Fifths Compromise
Problem? Should Slaves be counted in population?
Proposals Slave-holding States wanted to count them Non Slave-holding States did not
Solution? Count all Free Persons. Count three of every five Slaves (all other
persons). Slaves counted for representation (South wanted),
but also for taxation (North wanted). Eliminated in the 13th amendment 1865.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Problem? New Government needed to regulate trade – major
problem with Articles of Confederation. Southern States concerns:• New Government may be funded by taxing exports
(tobacco was biggest export at the time).• New Government would interfere with Slave Trade.
Proposals Ban Government’s ability to tax exports. Forbid any discussion about the Slave trade in
Congress. Solution?
Both proposals were agreed to. Ban on discussion or legislation of slave trade for 20
years.
2-5-13
What are the Federalist papers?
Are they relevant today?
Is the Constitution Relevant today?
Chap 2.5 Ratifying the Constitution
Convention completed work on September 17, 1787 (p. 54).
Second Continental Congress accepted work of the Convention.
Forwarded the proposed Constitution to the States of their vote.
Needed approval of 9 states to ratify. Nine states approved by June 1788,
but neither VA or NY had ratified it.
Arguments For and Against
Federalists Supported
Ratification Favored
stronger national government
Argued the weaknesses of present government
Later became 1st political party in US
Anti-Federalists Against Ratification Favored weaker
national government, stronger state government
Concern – protection of personal liberties
Insisted on a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution
The Federalist Papers
Series of 85 political papers written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison Supported the ratification of the
Constitution Hamilton wrote 51, Madison wrote 26,
Jay wrote 5 Hamilton Madison co-wrote 3 Appeared in newspapers where
ratification was in doubt, New York and Virginia
Brutus and Cato, among others, versus Publius
The Anti Federalist Papers
• A collection of articles, written in opposition to the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution. • Unlike the Federalist Papers written in support of the Constitution, the authors of these articles, mostly operating under pseudonyms, were not engaged in a strictly organized project.
Ratification and New Beginning
New York Becomes 11th state to ratify July 26,1788
Convinced by the arguments in the “Federalist Papers” Collection of arguments for the new government
written by Madison, Hamilton and John Jay Persuasive to the benefits of the proposed
government Argued the weakness of present government
New Government convened March 4, 1789 George Washington unanimously elected
First President.