Constitutional Convention

Vocabulary Anti-Federalists – people who opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which establishes rights and protections for American citizens Federalists – people (in the early United States) who supported the Constitution Federalist Papers – a series of essays written to defend the Constitution Great Compromise – agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation ratification – the process of formally approving something. Three-Fifths Compromise – agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as 3/5 of other persons in determining representation in Congress

The Constitutional Convention In the spring of 1787, delegates from the states met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. The delegates ultimately decided to create an entirely new plan of government – a new constitution. This meeting is now known as the Constitutional Convention.

The Framers (writers of the Constitution) were: Well educated and familiar with different forms of government Relatively young—average age was 42 and nearly ½ were in their 30’s. Experienced in Politics Many fought in the Revolution

The Framers James Madison “Father of the Constitution” Alexander Hamilton George Washington— Elected President of Convention

Biggest Questions of the Convention: What type of structure should replace the confederation? How should states be represented? Who should be counted into the population? Who should head the executive branch? PM or President, or Congress itself?

The Virginia Plan At the convention, the delegates from Virginia presented a plan for featured a strong national government. The Virginia Plan was largely the work of James Madison. Virginia was one of the most populated states in the USA.

The Virginia Plan wanted a federal government with 3 branches made up of a president, courts, and a bicameral congress. The number of representatives in both houses of Congress would be based on each state’s population. It was favored by the delegates from the larger states. Why?

The New Jersey Plan The New Jersey plan offered a modified version of the AoC. The plan was written primarily by William Patterson The New Jersey Plan was favored by the delegates from the smaller states.

The New Jersey plan wanted to have 3 branches of government. Wanted the legislative branch to stay a unicameral house with equal representation. Gave the government the ability to tax, control trade, and make laws over the states.

The Great Compromise Written by Roger Sherman Ultimately, the committee decided that Congress would have two houses – a Senate and a House of Representatives. In the Senate, each state would have two members. (Equal) In the House, the number of seats would reflect each state’s population. This is known as the Great Compromise.

The Three-Fifths Compromise Southern states hoped to count enslaved people in their populations. Why? Northern states opposed this idea. Why? The delegates eventually decided that every five enslaved persons would equal 3 free persons. This is known as the Three-Fifths Compromise.

Electoral College Some delegates thought the people should have the right to elect the President. Others thought Congress should elect the President. The solution was the Electoral College. The Electoral College would select the president and vice president, and it would be made up of electors, or delegates, named by each legislature. The Electoral College still exists today. However, voters in each state now choose electors.

U.S. Constitution Throughout the summer of 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention worked out the details of the new government. On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was adopted and signed by the Constitutional Convention. The next step was to win the Constitution’s ratification, or approval. At least 9 of the 13 states were required to ratify the Constitution. Only then would it become the supreme law of the land.

Federalists Those who supported the proposed Constitution were called Federalists. They supported the idea of a strong national government, where power is divided between the federal, or national, government, and the states. The main leaders of the Federalists were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. To defend the Constitution, they wrote a series of essays called the Federalist Papers.

Anti-Federalists Those who opposed the Constitution were called Anti-Federalists. Anti-Federalists did not like the idea of strong, national government as they feared it would ignore the rights of the states. They were also concerned that the new Constitution did not have a bill of rights. Several state conventions declared they would not ratify the Constitution without a bill of rights. The main leaders of the Anti-Federalists were Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and George Mason.

A New Nation is Formed The Federalists eventually vowed to create a bill of rights if the Constitution was adopted. That promise helped win public support for the constitution. New Hampshire became the 9 th state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, On March 4, 1789, the new government under the Constitution began operations. Clip The 13 states in order of ratification: 1. Delaware – Dec. 7, Pennsylvania – Dec. 12, New Jersey – Dec. 18, Georgia – Jan. 2, Connecticut – Jan. 9, Massachusetts – Feb. 6, Maryland – Apr. 28, South Carolina – May 23, New Hampshire – June 21, Virginia – June 25, New York – July 26, North Carolina – Nov. 21, Rhode Island – May 29, 1790

WRITING ASSIGNMENT (worth 25 points) For this assignment, you are to imagine that the U.S. Constitution was never created and that the states exist more like countries. You need to write a 3-paragraph essay that ponders some of the following questions: What would life be like? Would the existing 13 states have expanded, and incorporated new areas of land into their domain? Or would there be 50 states, all acting like countries? What would it be like to travel from one state to another? What would it be like to move from one state to another? Would it be possible? Would certain states be more powerful than others? Would all of the states get along, or would some disagree about specific issues? I will be giving 5 points for each paragraph, 5 points for grammar and punctuation, and 5 points for creativity and effort.