Constitutional Convention1787

Key attendees:• George Washington• James Madison• George Mason• Alexander Hamilton• Benjamin Franklin• James Wilson• Gouverneur Morris• Edmund Randolph• Roger Sherman• Elbridge Gerry• William Patterson

Not attending:• Thomas Jefferson• John Adams• Patrick Henry• John Hancock• Samuel Adams• Richard Henry Lee• Rhode Island

Philadelphia Convention

• May 1787• 55 delegates

– Every state except RI– From propertied class “without being rich all are

in easy circumstances”-Fr. diplomat

• Nationalists wanted to strengthen the central government

• Elected George Washington as presiding officer• Met in “secret”

Virginia Plan

• Powerful national government– Supremacy of national authority

• Rejected state sovereignty– National gov’t could veto state laws

– National government would have direct authority over people

– Citizens would elect the lower house of national legislature

• Lower house representation based on population• Lower house would then name the members of the upper

house– Both houses would then choose judiciary and executive

James Madison

New Jersey Plan

• National gov’t could– Raise revenue– Control commerce– Make binding requisitions on states

• Executive, appointed by Congress, of several individuals

• Judicial appointed by Executive

• Each state had one vote in a unicameral legislature

• States could control own laws

William Paterson

Debate and Near Collapse

• After about two weeks of discussion– Supported NJ Plan

• NJ, DE• 1/2 of MD• 2/3 of NY

• VA Plan still basis of discussion• Key Questions:

1. How should representatives from each state be determined?

2. What powers should the national gov’t have?

– Created committee to solve– One delegate from each state

Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises

After deciding to scrap the Articles of Confederation, what to do?

• “Large State Plan” vs. “Small State Plan”

“Great Compromise”

Political Negotiation• “Great Compromise”

– Upper house 2 delegates from each state– Lower house based on population

• Federal Judicial System– States had own courts and feared losing this

power – Convention left creation of system up to new

national legislature

• Voting was not restricted to just property owners

• Upper house chosen by state legislatures

• President elected by an electoral college

States and their legislatures had some power + the people had more direct power = acceptance of reduction of state sovereignty?

Compromises cont.• Slavery

– 3/5 Compromise– Slave trade would exist for at least 20 years

• Separation of Powers– Federalism

• States and national government– Branches of government

• Legislative• Executive• Judicial

• Electoral College

Constitutional Convention adjourned on 9/17/1787

-Constitution now had to be ratified by voters

RatificationProcess to ratify the new Constitution Article VII

Voterschoose

delegates

State convention

voted on Constitution

9 states needed to pass for Constitution to replace Articles

Ratification of the Constitution• Conducted in special conventions nine states and it would go into

effect

Federalists vs. Anti-FederalistsUnited States vs. States United

*Federalist Papers written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay– 85 essays to gain support for republican political doctrine

• Ex. Explained “checks and balances”, benefits of large republic

*Bill of Rights promised to be added later– MA, NY, VA

• Met 9 state requirement in 1788

Controversy Over the Constitution

• When the Constitution was printed in the newspapers people were shocked– Delegates created a NEW constitution

• Framers set up procedure they thought gave the Constitution the best chance to be ratified

Voterschoose

delegates

State convention

voted on Constitution

9 states needed to pass

for Constitution to replace Articles

Bypassed state legislatures

Opposing Sides

Federalists• Supporters of the

Constitution• Liked balance of

power between states and national gov’t– Separation of power

would protect against tyranny

Antifederalists• Opposed the new

Constitution– Lack of protection for

individual rights

Opposing Sides cont.• Both sides tried to gain popular support

• Letter from the Federal Farmer– Rights that needed more

protection• Speech, press, religion,

trial by jury, searches, etc.

• The Federalist (Papers)– 85 essays defending

the Constitution– 1787-1788 in NY

Bill of Rights – Key to Ratification

• Federalists promised to add a bill of rights if the Constitution was ratified

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/ratification/map/?state=Delaware