the constitutional convention
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The Constitutional Convention. “I am mortified beyond expression that in the moment of our acknowledged independence we should by our conduct…render ourselves ridiculous…in the eyes of all Europe. We are fast verging to anarchy and confusion.” -George Washington. This Meeting Had Better Start!. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Constitutional Convention
“I am mortified beyond expression that in the moment of our acknowledged independence we should by our conduct…render ourselves ridiculous…in the eyes of all Europe. We are fast verging to anarchy and confusion.”
-George Washington
This Meeting Had Better Start!
Confederation Congress requested a National Convention to be assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the purpose of revising/amending the Articles
States nominated their delegates Each state had varying numbers of reps Each state to have 1 vote in meetings
regardless of # of reps
A Meeting of the MindsWho were these guys??
George WashingtonVirginia DelegateGeneral Landowner
James MadisonVirginia DelegateLawyerArrived 2 weeks early
Benjamin FranklinPennsylvania DelegateScientist Philosopher
Alexander HamiltonEconomist/ PoliticalPhilosopherCalled for convention
Who wasn’t there???
Thomas JeffersonServing as RepresentativeIn France
Called this a meeting of“demi-gods”
John AdamsServing as
Representative in London
Other Noticeable Absences Patrick Henry Refused a position
as a delegate “I smell a rat –
and it smells like monarchy”
State of Rhode Island refused to send delegates
“Rogue Island”
Politics?? Politics is defined
for our purposes by Webster’s Dictionary as, “the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy”
Was politics already in use in 1787??
Federalists Federalists
Believed in the need for a strong national government Key in the call for creating new governance Famous Federalists: John Adams, George Washington,
Alexander Hamilton
Anti-Federalists
Believed that a strong national government would trample on states’ sovereignty and individuals rights
Against movement to eradicate A of C Famous Anti-Federalists: Patrick Henry, George Mason,
Sam Adams
Pennsylvania State HouseIndependence Hall
Site of preparation of Declaration of Independence
Centrally located in the 13 States
Site of Revolutionary Government at various times
Proceedings of the Convention
Selection of President This person would serve as presiding officer of
the Committee of the Whole Who would you select?
Washington Presides Over Constitutional Convention
Do we need to elect anyone else?
Should there be a secretary?
William Jackson Born 1759 Cumberland, England Revolutionary soldier Lawyer Took notes of
proceedings & votes at Convention
Is it time to get down to business?
Life-size representations of delegates at the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA
What’s next Should we decide on the rules of the
meetings?? What would be good rules to
establish to conduct our meeting? Is secrecy important?
WHY????
Logistics of the Convention # 1 Rule: Secrecy
1. Considered important so that the delegates could voice their opinions in the open, yet change their minds
2. Notes on proceedings would be kept, but not made public
More Rules? Rule #2 – Continued debate No issue would be considered final
This was viewed as an important point Allowed any point to be re-opened for
debate
Did they need to concentrate?
All shades were kept drawn for maximum privacy
Hay was strewn on the cobblestone streets surrounding the Hall to reduce the noise
When did the Convention begin?
May 14, 1787 Date set to begin meeting
May 25, 1787 Date that quorum was finally reached to
begin proceedings
Now your work begins… Each state delegation will convene in
the computer lab Use the worksheet provided for each
state to catalog information about the delegates representing your state. Use only the site: