The Constitutional Convention. The Place Philadelphia, PA Old Statehouse (known today as Independence Hall) Same place was used for Declaration of Independence.

TheConstitutional Convention

The Place

• Philadelphia, PA

• Old Statehouse (known today as Independence Hall)

• Same place was used for Declaration of Independence.

• Began on May 25, 1787

The Old Statehouse

now known as

Independence Hall

The Delegates

• 74 delegates from 12 states

• Only 55 attended.

• Rhode Island did not participate.

Organization

• George Washington was elected President of the convention.

• Each state had one vote.• Simple majority ruled (7 of 13).• Quorum of 7 needed to do business.• Meetings kept secret/confidential to

allow free discussion.

The Rising Sun Chair

"I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun."

Benjamin Franklin

1787

The Rising Sun Chair

Key Agreements

• Limited government• Separation of powers• End states creating their own money• States could not interfere with

creditors’ rights• Stronger national government

The Major Plans

• Strong Congress – Lower chamber elected by people– Upper chamber elected by lower chamber

• President chosen by Congress• Judiciary appointed by Congress

Problem!!!

Big states would be in

control.

The Major Plans

!!!

• Keep basics of Articles of Confederation• Unicameral Congress

– One vote for each state– Given power to tax and regulate trade

• Weak Presidential committee appointed by Congress

• Judiciary appointed by President

The Major Plans

Problem!!!

Retained many of the problems of the

failed Articles of Confederation.

National government would remain

weak.

The Major Plans

!!!

The Compromises

• The Connecticut Compromise

• The 3/5’s Compromise

• Compromise on Commerce and the Slave Trade

The Connecticut Compromise

• Bicameral Congress– House of Reps. based on population and

elected by people– Senate – 2 members from each state elected

by state legislatures

• All taxing and spending laws would start in House of Reps.

3/5 Compromise

How to count slaves for

representation and taxation.

All slaves counted as 3/5 of a

person for both representation

and taxes.

Compromise on Commerceand the Slave Trade

• Congress given the power to regulate both interstate commerce and foreign commerce.

• Congress forbidden to impose export taxes.

• Congress could not ban slave trade until 1808 (20 years).

Other Compromises

• How to elect the President? (Electoral College)

• How long for President’s term?

• Many other minor compromises

Ratification

• Process began September 1787

• Constitution went into effect June 1788 after 9 states ratified it.

• Rhode Island finally approved it May 1790.

Federalists

• Supported ratification of Constitution.

• Wanted strong federal government.• Mostly from cities and eastern

coastal regions• Merchants, etc., involved in trade• Wanted improved commerce

Federalists

• Biggest arguments for ratification:– Avoid anarchy

– Protect the nation

– Solve problems in trade and commerce

Anti-Federalists

• Opposed ratification

• Feared strong central government

• Mostly inland farmers and laborers

• Biggest arguments against Constitution:– Meeting was in secret– Was extralegal (didn’t do what they were

supposed to do) (they were supposed to improve the Articles of Confederation)

– It did not include a Bill of Rights

Anti-Federalists