Constitutional Convention - 1787 (11 years after Declaration)

1. Constitutional Convention - 1787 (11 years after Declaration)

2. The main reason for the meeting in Philadelphia was to revise the Articles of Confederation • However, the delegates soon concluded that it would be necessary to write an entirely new Constitution. • Agreed to conduct the meetings in secrecy by stationing guards at the door • When one delegate dropped a convention document, Chairman George Washington replied, “I must entreat the gentlemen to be more careful, lest our transactions get into the newspapers and disturb the public repose (calm)”

3. Who was there? • 12/13 States No Rhode Island • Fiercely independent– distrusted strong, central gov’t • FEAR  dominated by the new federal government • *farmers and debtors – feeling effects of State Legislature) 74 Delegates chosen Many – fought Rev. War 39 – members of a previous Congress 8 – signed Declaration 31- attended college 2 – future Pres. of U.S. 1 – future V.P. 17 – future Senators 11- future Representatives The delegates were involved in debates from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. six days a week with only a 10 day break during the duration of the convention

4. The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “Founding Fathers.” George Washington was asked to preside (lead) over the convention. Why? near-universal admiration as a military hero - role as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Seldom participated in debates Leaders of the Convention When the Convention adjourned, he confided to a fellow delegate, "I do not expect the Constitution to last for more than twenty years”

5. James Madison often called “The Father of the Constitution.” Only delegate to attend every meeting. Took detailed notes of the various discussions and debates that took place during the convention. Very intellectual Lead debates for ratification Leaders of the Convention con’t The journal that he kept during the Constitutional Convention was kept secret until after he died. It (along with other papers) was purchased by the government in 1837 at a price of $30,000 (that would be $629,000 today). The journal was published in 1840.

6. Who wasn’t there…several well-known leaders during Rev. Period Sam Adams Patrick Henry Thomas Paine Richard Henry Lee John Adams John Hancock Thomas Jefferson

7. Most Serious Debate… • Balance the power between: • the smaller states and larger states and • between the state governments and the federal government. This is why the Constitution is often thought of as a BUNDLE OF COMPROMISES…as you will see.

8. Definition of Compromise • An agreement reached after both sides give something up in order to get the most of what they really want

11. I wasn’t alone in my thinking! III. Alexander Hamilton’s British Plan • Frustrated - neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan were enough • In politics, he was of the general opinion that the masses could not be trusted to select the leaders of the United States. • Federalist No. 6 - Hamilton presents the argument that human nature is ``ambitious, vindictive and [greedy],' • The Plan - proposing a system similar to that of Britain • He offered his plan as a worst-case scenario to the Convention.

12. Basics of the British Plan • Bicameral legislature (2 houses) • The lower house, the Assembly, was elected by the people for three year terms • The upper house, the Senate, elected by electors chosen by the people, and with a life-term of service • An executive called the Governor • elected by electors and with a life-term of service • The Governor had an absolute veto over bills • A judiciary with life-terms of service • State governors appointed by the national legislature • National veto power over any state legislation

13. Response: • Hamilton's plan was well-received, it seems, with general agreement that it was well thought out and complete. • However, no one supported it as a model for a new form of government. • The system was too similar to that of Britain, under which the Americans had long-suffered. His plan went no further.

14. Connecticut/Great Compromise • Connecticut delegates - • Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth

15. THE GREAT COMPROMISE ON REPRESENTATION!- Passed by 1 vote • Create a TWO House Legislature: • The House of Representatives would have representatives based on population (435 today) • The Senate would have equal representation for all states. Each state will have two Senators (100 total for the U.S. Today) • This agreement tried to satisfy the big States and small States

16. When the Constitutional Congress met in 1787, the delegates found that they could not avoid discussing the issue of slavery. Already one could see the diverging interests of the North and the South, conflicts between slave states and free states…2 Compromises developed

17. Population - 1790 Big Question between North & South - South – We want to count our slaves in order to have as many representatives as possible! - North – No way – They are not citizens!

19. 3/5’s Compromise “Free persons” counted “3/5’s of all other persons (slaves)” Were my people counted in this? NO

20. Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

21. Slavery in the Constitution? No ban on slave trade for 20 years. • This compromise was reached because the Southern states demanded that they needed slavery for their economy. Most believed that this should be a State issue and let the States decide. Federal regulation of interstate (between States) and international trade No export duties to be passed for 20 years

22. Was there a curse of the Constitution?What specifically happened (death) to these men? • New York delegate Alexander Hamilton • North Carolina delegate Richard Spaight • Virginia delegate George Wythe • Pennsylvania delegate Gouverneur Morris • New York delegate John Lansing Homework

23. Greatest Debate… Some delegates wanted MORE… Federalists (supported Constitution) Vs. Anti-Federalists (opposed a strong, central government)