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Debates over the Constitution

United States History I Mr. Carollo. Debates over the Constitution. Review of Articles of Confederation. Purpose Structure Each state – 1 vote; no executive Powers Maintains sovereignty of states Conduct foreign relations declare war & raise an army (No standing national army)

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Debates over the Constitution

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  1. United States History I Mr. Carollo Debates over the Constitution

  2. Review of Articles of Confederation • Purpose • Structure • Each state – 1 vote; no executive • Powers • Maintains sovereignty of states • Conduct foreign relations • declare war & raise an army (No standing national army) • Establishment of national Postal Service

  3. Review of Articles of Confederation • Powers • 9 out of 13 states needed to agree to pass important laws • Amendments to the Articles of Confederation required a Unanimous vote • No national court system

  4. Accomplishments • Land Ordinance of 1785 - Established a plan for surveying land and creating parcels to be made for purchase. ($1 per acre) • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • Set requirements for admission of new states • Territory required to have 5,000 voting residents in order to write a constitution and elect a government • When total population reached 60,000 the settlers could write a state constitution and apply for statehood. • States give up NW land claims • Clears way to add five new states to union • Prohibits slavery in NW territories

  5. Issues • Inability to make treaties. This was done by the individual states • Inability to enact of collect taxes • Could make laws, but had little means to enforce them • Could not protect trade and industry

  6. Issues • Shays’ Rebellion (1786) • Small rebellion by a Group of Massachusetts Farmers (1000) led by Daniel Shay (revolutionary war vet) • concerned with tax increases and lack of paper money (unable to pay loans) resulting in the loss of their farms to creditors and imprisonment for major debts • Armed resistance / put down by militia. Federal government asks surrounding states for assistance in defending Massachusetts from this rebellion. No states volunteer their militias

  7. Annapolis Convention • Lobbied for by Alexander Hamilton • Called to discuss revisions to strengthen Articles of Confederation to avoid foreign intervention; fix trade issues among the states • 12 Delegates from 5 states • Result: Philadelphia Convention

  8. Philadelphia Convention • Original Intention for most – revise A of C • Washington – elected convention president • James Madison – notes from Federal Conv. • 55 Delegates from 12 states (none from RI) • Big names missing: J. Adams, S. Adams, P. Henry, J. Hancock • Ideas from State Constitutions • Republic v. Democracy

  9. Issues • Key Issues?

  10. Virginia Plan – May 29, 1787 • Presented by Gov. Edmund Randolph • Based on Madison’s thoughts, etc. • Powerful bicameral legislature • Houses determined proportionately • Lower house elected by people; upper house elected by lower • Executive to serve (chosen by) legislature • Judiciary • Some veto power

  11. New Jersey Plan – June 15, 1787 • William Paterson • Current Congress to remain (Equal Representation) • Add power to levy taxes • Executive to be elected by Congress (could be a multi-member branch) • Judiciary to serve for life

  12. Connecticut Compromise • Roger Sherman – June 11 • Two house national legislature • Lower house proportionate; handled revenue bills • Upper house – two seats per state • 11 Days of debate • Adopted 7 to 6 • Paved way for 3/5 compromise

  13. DO NOW • Answer the questions below • 1.) What are the elements of a fair government? • 2.)What are the elements of an effective government? • 3.) How might the proposed constitution (the one you read) be viewed in a negative light? • 4.) What is missing from the Constitution?

  14. Reactions to the Proposed Constitution • Federalists • Supportive of strong central government • Well educated; “urban” residents • Federalist Papers • Hamilton, Madison, Jay, Duer • Anti-Federalists • Against strong central government • Generally farmers; less educated; outlying areas • Letters from a Federal Farmer • Richard Henry Lee

  15. Constitutional Issues • In your groups, analyze the issue you have been assigned. Predict both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments on this issue • Effectiveness of Articles of Confederation • Representation • Powers of Executive • Taxation • Powers of State v. Central Government • Individual Rights • Ability to enforce laws and change government • Need for de facto Aristocracy to run government

  16. Modern Constitutional Debates • Federalism • Democratic / Liberal Activists • Conservative politicians for particular issues • Neo-Anti-Federalism • Tea Party movement • Libertarians

  17. Closure • What is the Constitution’s effectiveness in addressing the 40 problems you suggested in your post-War analysis? • How did the Constitution and Country survive the fierce debates in the convention and during ratification?

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