Constitutional Convention

Purpose of the Constitutional Convention

- The goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation

- It was quickly decided to replace it.

- An urgent Government reform meeting

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

Philadelphia

•53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.

•They met in Independence Hall. •On average there were about 30 delegates

there every day. • James Madison was the only delegate to

never miss a day.

Famous Founders•Alexander Hamilton• Leader of strong central

government movement

•George Washington• Presided over the Convention

• James Madison• “Father of the Constitution”

•Benjamin Franklin• Eldest member, speaks of

compromise

Major Divisions

5

Virginia PlanProposed by big states

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral (2 Houses)

Elected by the people

Elected by the 1st house

# of Congressmen determined by state population

Based on Population

Written by James

Madison

Proposed by

Edmund

Randolph

New Jersey PlanSupported by smaller states

Lawmaking body:

Unicameral (1 House)

Based on Equality

Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes

Proposed by

William

Paterson

The Great CompromiseThis was a combination of both plans…

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)

House of Representatives

Senate

# of reps. would depend on populations

Each state gets 2 representatives

Proposed by Roger

Sherman; written

By several

Slavery• Slavery became an issue

with population. In the south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population

• The south wanted them to count in their population so they would have more votes. Slaves however could not vote.

3/5 Compromise

• They decided to count 3/5 of the total number of slaves as population.

• 5 blacks = 3 whites.

Slaves still could not vote

Proposed by James

Wilson

Other Agreements & Compromises•All agreed that rights to property should be protected

•Benjamin Franklin proposed suffrage for all males but most agreed it should be land owners only

•Most favored a bicameral legislature•Electoral College to elect the President•Argued it should reflect will of the people

•Slave and Trade Compromise: No taxing exports, don’t touch slave trade for 20 years.

• Informal Amendments: Implied powers so Constitution is flexible and can change over time

Principles of the Constitution•Checks and Balances: System of government in

which branches have some power over other branches

•Limited Government: The government is NOT all powerful but can only do what people allow it to do

•Popular Sovereignty: The people rule; power based on the consent of the governed

•Federalism: Division of power between federal and state governments (also local governments)

Separation of Powers( How the Government will be organized )

Legislative Executive Judicial

3 Branches

House of Reps.

Senate

=

Congress Makes Laws

President Court System

Carries out laws Interpret the laws

AmendmentsBefore any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country.

Bill of Rights1st Amendment2nd Amendment3rd Amendment

Signing the Constitution

39 delegates signedbefore leavingPhiladelphia. Eachstate planned to haveits own convention tovote on the adoption.

Nine states were needed to ratify. December 7, 1787

Federalists vs. Anti Federalists... Let the Battle Begin...

Federalists: Supporters of the New ConstitutionGeorge Washington

Ben Franklin

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

Anti Federalists: Opposed ratification of the new Constitution1. Would take away liberties2. Create a strong central government3. Ignore the will of the people4. Favor the wealthy

**Wanted the gov. close to the people

Thomas PainePatrick Henry

Ratification

The four remaining states signed by May of 1790!

June 21, 1788New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government. There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov.

Go USA!!

The End