The Constitutional Convention

1. The Constitutional Convention • Weaknesses of the Confederation Congress worried many American leaders that the US would not survive without a strong central govt. • People who supported this known as nationalists (George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton etc.) • NY delegate Alexander Hamilton recommended that Congress call a convention in Philly 1787 to revise Articles of Confederation.

2. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

3. The Founders • 55 Delegates—majority were lawyers, had experience in colonial, state, or national govts. • RI sent no delegates • Thomas Jefferson was unable to make convention but said it was an “assembly of demigods” • George Washington chosen as presiding officer

4. George Washington at the Constitutional Convention

5. Independence Hall, Philadelphia Pennsylvania

6. The Assembly Room in Independence Hall

7. The Virginia Plan • James Madison from Virginia arrived with a detailed plan for a new national govt. • Proposed legislature divided into 2 houses • In both houses the # of representatives for each state would reflect that state’s population

8. James Madison

9. The New Jersey Plan • Delegates accepted dividing govt into 3 branches, but smaller states opposed basing representation on pop • William Paterson of NJ offered their plan: • Did not abandon Articles, but modified them to make central govt. stronger • Congress would have single house, each state was equally represented, and would also have power to raise taxes and regulate trade.

10. The Great (Connecticut) Compromise • Connecticut’s Roger Sherman came up with this idea • The Great Compromise: • One house of Congress (House of Representatives) the states would be represented according to size of their population • In other house (Senate) each state would have equal representation • Eligible voters in each state would elect the House of Representatives, but state legislatures would choose senators.

11. The Problem of Slavery • The Convention delegates also had to deal with the problem of slavery • Each state could elect one member to House of Rep for every 40,000 people • South wanted to include slaves in count • North objected (slaves can’t vote). Suggested if slaves count in population they should also count in taxes

12. Three-Fifths Compromise • Every 5 enslaved people would count as 3 free persons for determining representation and taxes • Also, Congress could not vote to ban slave trade until 1808 or impose taxes on import of enslaved persons

13. Framework for Limited Govt. • New constitution based on principle of popular sovereignty (rule by the people) • Representative system in which elected officials represented voice of people • System of govt. known as federalism • Divided govt. power between federal (national) govt. and the state govts.

14. Federal System

15. Separation of Powers • Constitution provided for a separation of powers among 3 branches of the federal govt. • Legislative—make the laws (2 houses of Congress) • Executive—implement and enforce laws (president) • Judicial—interpret laws (system of federal courts)

16. Powers of the President

17. Checks and Balances • Set up system to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful • President could propose legislation, appoint judges, and veto (reject) acts of Congress • However, Legislature could override veto with 2/3 vote in both houses • Senate could approve or reject presidential appointments to executive branch and treaties • Congress could impeach (formally accuse of misconduct and remove) president or other high officials in executive/judicial branch • President could nominate members of judiciary, but senate had to confirm or reject them

18. Amending the Constitution • Might need to be changed over time • Created a clear system for making amendments (changes to the constitution • 2-step process • Proposal and ratification