Chapter 2 Origins of American Government Sections 4 & 5 The Constitutional Convention and Ratification and the Bill of Rights.

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Chapter 2Origins of American

GovernmentSections 4 & 5

The Constitutional Convention andRatification and the Bill of Rights

The Constitutional Convention

How should or government be organized?

Key compromises had to be made

Drafting a New Constitution

The Convention Meets

May 25, 1787

12 of 13 states (Rhode Island)

Framework for new govt.

Meetings held secretly

Framers of the Constitution

55 Delegates, framers

1/3 were army veterans

8 signed Declaration of Independence

Washington was President of convention

James Madison

Framers of the Constituions

Delegate Key Role and Contributions

Ben Franklin, PA 81, oldest and most admired delegate

Alexander Hamilton, NY Federalist Papers, strong supporter of constitution

James Madison, VA Virginia Plan, strong national govt.

William Redmund, NJ New Jersey Plan, one house legislature and equal state representation

Edmund Randolph, VA Virginia Plan, 3 branches, representation based on population or wealth

Roger Sherman, CT Great Compromise, equal representation in Senate and representation based on population in the House

Rival Plans

Virginia Plan

3 Branches of central govt.

Strong national government

Bicameral legislature

New Jersey Plan

Strong national government

3 branches of central government

Unicameral legislature

Equal representation among states

Conflict and CompromiseThe Great

Compromise

June 30, 1787

Elements of VA and NJ plan

Bicameral legislature Lower house based on

state’s population and elected directly by the people

Upper house based on 2 members per state and was selected by state legislatures

Compromise over Slavery

Key Points: Does slave population count towards representation?

Three-fifths Compromise:3/5 of slave population counted

Protected slave trade for 20 more years

Conflict and Compromise

Presidential Election Directly elect or state

legislatures

Compromise: State elects

State electors = number of people in both houses of Congress

Popular vote

No winner house of representatives would choose

Finalizing the Constitution

Debated issues, settled disputes, and key decisions in 1787

Some delegates would not sign without a Bill of Rights

39 people from 12 states signed the constitution

Adjourned September 17, 1787

Ratification and the Bill of Rights

Heated debates between Federalists and Antifederalists

Federalists supported the constitution

Antifederalists v Federalists Drastic changes in government New national government would reduce state

powers and restructure congress Outlined ratification 9 of 13

Antifederalists V Federalists

Antifederalists

Opposed constitution

Feared strong national government

Small farmers

Bill of Rights is necessary

Federalists

Supported constitution

Strong national government

Larger farmers, merchants, and artisans

Bill of Rights unnecessary

The Federalist Papers

Best Commentary

Circulated through states

American Political Theory

Federalist Papers

Rebuttal Essays

Antifederalist released

Protecting liberty

Writing Team

Hamilton, Madison, Jay

Publius

85 Essays total

Defended Constitution

10 and 51 influence different factions

Limiting national authority, preserve liberty

The Fight for Ratification

Winning Over the States

Federalist better prepared

Target small states

Delaware first to ratify

Bill of Rights

All 13 states ratified

Bill of Rights

Bill of rights is priority

10 amendments made up the Bill of Rights

Freedom of speech, press religion, due process, right to fair trial, trial by jury

Vocabulary

Framers Delegates to the constitutional convention

Virginia Plan A proposed plan for government that called for a strong central government divided into three branches, bicameral legislature, and representation based on the state population

New Jersey Plan Another proposed plan for government that called for a strong central government divided into three branches, with a unicameral legislature and 1 vote per state

Great Compromise Plan of the government that included a bicameral legislature in which membership in one house would be based on state population and membership in the other would be one per state

Vocabulary

Three-fifths Compromise The resolution to count enslaved people as part of the population of a state, but only 3/5 of the people

Federalists Supporters of the constitution

Antifederalists Opponents of the constitution

Publius The pen name used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to defend the constitution

Federalist Papers Essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to defend the constitution

Bill of Rights A series of 10 amendments to the constitution ratified by the states that protect such rights as freedom of speech, press, and religion