Some Challenges of the Convention • 1787 – Most people wanted a government that could keep order in a country filled with conflict – Strong enough to protect people’s rights – Not so strong that it would oppress them • Disagreements over representation – Virginia Plan: Number of representatives based on population – New Jersey Plan: Equal number of representatives for all states – Great Compromise: House of Representatives would be based on population and Senate would be equal for each state
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Some Challenges of the Convention 1787 –Most people wanted a government that could keep order in a country filled with conflict –Strong enough to protect.
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Some Challenges of the Convention• 1787
– Most people wanted a government that could keep order in a country filled with conflict
– Strong enough to protect people’s rights– Not so strong that it would oppress them
• Disagreements over representation– Virginia Plan: Number of representatives based
on population– New Jersey Plan: Equal number of
representatives for all states– Great Compromise: House of Representatives
would be based on population and Senate would be equal for each state
Challenges over Slavery
Compromises on slavery• Southern states wanted to count all slaves for
representation purposes but none for taxation.• Northern states objected.
• Three-Fifths Compromise: all whites plus three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for both representation and taxation.
• Native Americans were not counted.
• In order to maintain unity between North and South, delegates agreed to a clause allowing the slave trade to continue for 20 years.
• Another clause, the fugitive slave clause, stated that a slave who fled to another state had to be returned to his or her original state.
• Also agreed that no laws would be made regarding slavery until 1808
Branches of Government
The Constitution is passed• Delegates passed the Constitution on
September 17, 1787
• All but 3 of the 42 present signed the Constitution
• It was then sent to each state for approval/ratification.
• Constitution had been debated for months
• Founders began to work to convince others to ratify it
• Federalists: in favor of accepting the Constitution
• Antifederalists: opposed to the Constitution
Federalists and Antifederalists
• Thought others would fear how much power was given to national government
• Explained that it was based on a system of federalism
• The Federalist Papers– James Madison– Alexander Hamilton– John Jay– Described why people should support ratification
Concerns of the Federalists
“Yes, my countrymen,… I am clearly of opinion it is your interest to adopt it [the
Constitution]. I am convinced that this is the safest course for your liberty, your dignity,
and your happiness.”
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist “Number 1”
• Thought it took too much power away from states and did not guarantee rights for people
• Feared president could become a king
• Rural areas supported antifederalists– Afraid of high taxes
• Large states were also unsupportive at first
Concerns of the Antifederalists
The Battle for Ratification• Many citizens supported the Constitution
but wanted to add a guarantee that the government would protect the rights of people
• Virginia Convention: June 1788– Antifederalists would not ratify without a bill of
rights– Federalists gave in and promised to add a bill
of rights if the state ratified the document
Final Ratification• December 1787: Delaware, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania• January 1788: Georgia and Connecticut• February 1788: Massachusetts• By late June: 9 out of 13 states had ratified• At this time, the Constitution was ratified• But still wanted support of largest states: Virginia and
New York• Virginia and New York ratified with promise of bill of
rights• North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last states
The Bill of Rights and the Constitution
• James Madison wrote the first 10 amendments (additions to the document)– Became known as the Bill of Rights
• Believed that government needed to protect religious freedom to prevent social conflict
• Separated Church and State• Ended conflicts that had earlier affected the
colonies
The Bill of Rights
1. Religious and Political Freedom
2. Right to Bear Arms
3. Quartering Troops
4. Search and Seizure
5. Rights of Accused Persons
6. Right to a Speedy, Public Trial
7. Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
8. Limits of Fines and Punishments
9. Rights of People
10.Powers of States and People
Amending the Constitution• The Bill of Rights showed that the
document can be changed to fit the PEOPLE’S needs
• 2/3 of each house and state legislatures can propose an amendment
• ¾ of states have to approve the amendment
• 17 more amendments have been added since the original 10
Confederation Weaknesses
New Government Strengths
Taxes Congress could not pass or collect taxes
Congress can pass and collect taxes
Trade Congress had no control
Congress could control
Courts No federal courts, only states
National system of courts
Executive No executive branch or enforcement of laws