2 -4 the constitutional convention

The Constitutional Convention

Objective- Students will analyze the compromises made during the Constitutional Convention and explain its achievements.

Constitutional Convention

Essential Questions

1. How did the Connecticut Compromise settle the most divisive issue among members of the Const. Convention?

2. What were the key arguments presented by Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

Content Vocabulary Legislative Branch- section of the gov’t that makes lawsExecutive Branch- section of the gov’t that carries out lawsJudicial Branch- section of the gov’t that interprets lawsInterstate Commerce- trade among the statesExtralegal- not sanctioned by lawAnarchy- political disorder

The Convention Begins• Philadelphia, PA• May 25, 1787• Delegates from all states except Rhode Island• 55 delegates present

Leaders of the Convention

James Madison George Washington Benjamin Franklin Father of the Constitution Leader of the Convention Most senior member 81 Virginia Virginia Pennsylvania

First President of USA

Organization

- 1 vote per state- Simple majority needed to make

decisions- Delegates decided to keep meetings

secret

Key Agreements

1. All favored a limited and representative gov’t2. Powers of the national gov’t should be divided

among legislative, executive, and judicial branches

3. Limit the power of the states to coin money4. Strengthen the national gov’t

The Virginia Plan

Edmund Randolph and James MadisonThree Principles

1. Strong national legislature w/ two houses based on population of each state.

2. Strong national executive chosen by the leg.3. National judiciary appointed by the leg.* Delegates from smaller states feared that this plan would give larger states more power*

The New Jersey Plan

William Patterson1. A unicameral legislature w/ one vote for each

state2. Congress has the power to impose taxes and

regulate trade3. Weak executive of more than one person,

elected by congress4. National judiciary appointed by the executive

*The New Jersey Plan was rejected*

The Connecticut Compromise

Question: should the states be represented on the basis of population or should they be represented equally?Solution: A bicameral legislature

- House of Reps- based on population- Senate- equal (2 per state)

Roger Sherman

Three-Fifths CompromiseProblem• 1/3 of people living in the southern states were

slaves• Southern states wanted slaves to count toward

population, so they would have more reps in the House

• Northern states did not have many slaves, so they did not want them to count toward population.

Compromise• Slaves would count for 3/5 of the population

Slavery and the Constitution

• Northern states feared the southern states would not sign the Const. if it outlawed slavery.

• The issue of slavery was left out of the Constitution except Article IV, Section 2

Ratifying the Constitution

• The Constitution was complete on September 17, 1787

• 9 of 13 states needed to sign it for ratification (to pass).

• On June 21, 1788 New Hampshire became the 9th state to sign

Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists – supported the constitution• Support came from the founders

and merchants

Anti-Federalists- opposed the Constitution• Support came from inland farmers

and laborers

Anti-Federalists Arguments1. Criticized the Constitution for

being drafted in secret: extralegal.

2. Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights: afraid a strong national gov’t would take away human rights

Patrick Henry was a strong

opponent of the Constitution

Federalists Arguments

1. Without a strong national gov’t, anarchy would triumph

2. A strong national gov’t is necessary to protect the nation from enemies and solve internal problems

Alexander Hamilton

James MadisonJohn Jay

Wrote 80 essays defending the

Constitution called The Federalist

Bill of Rights

• In the first session of Congress, James Madison, introduced 12 amendments

• Ten were ratified in 1791 known as the Bill of Rights