The Constitutional Convention Independence Hall Philadelphia, PA 1787

Who? 55 delegates arrived, with each state except Rhode Island represented George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin were among the delegates Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were not present

Who? George Washington was picked to preside over the convention James Madison’s ideas would prove the most influential; he is known as the “Father of the Constitution”

Where? Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (now called Independence Hall) Same location as the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the AoC

Where? Summer heat! …and the windows were closed because delegates agreed to keep the proceedings secret

Independence Hall and Philadelphia’s modern skyline Where? Delegates were sent to amend the Articles of Confederation But the problems with the AoC convinced the delegates that an entirely new constitution was needed Independence Hall and Philadelphia’s modern skyline

Overview

The Constitution 3 branches Checks & balances Majority rule, minority rights Federalism = strong central gov’t w/ powers reserved for states Article I – legislative Article II – executive Article III – judicial Article IV – states Article V – amendment process Article VI – national supremacy Article VII – ratification Amendments… starting with Bill of Rights

Compromises

Constitutional Compromises The Great Compromise Constitutional Compromises

James Madison Virginia Plan The Great Compromise vs. James Madison Virginia Plan William Paterson New Jersey Plan

Roger Sherman of Connecticut The Great Compromise The Solution: Bicameral (two-house) legislature House of Representatives with proportional representation Senate with equal representation (2 per state, chosen by state legislatures until passage of 17th Amendment) Sometimes called the Connecticut Compromise Roger Sherman of Connecticut

Constitutional Compromises The Great Compromise Constitutional Compromises Three Fifths Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise vs. Slave States of the South (Mostly) Free States of the North

Three-Fifths Compromise The Solution: For purposes of representation, every five slaves would count as three “people” in the census 5 equals 3

Constitutional Compromises The Great Compromise Constitutional Compromises Electoral College Three Fifths Compromise

How should the president be chosen? Electoral College How should the president be chosen? Direct Election by the People Chosen by Congress vs.

George Washington, our first President Electoral College The Solution: Indirect election –voters cast ballots for president… The candidate who wins a majority in each state takes all the state’s electoral votes George Washington, our first President

Constitutional Compromises Trade Compromise The Great Compromise Constitutional Compromises Electoral College Three Fifths Compromise

vs. Trade Compromise North - South - wanted government to have power to regulate trade South - Feared interference with slave trade, taxes on exports

The importation of slaves continued until 1808 Trade Compromise The Solution: Congress gets power to regulate trade Congress cannot tax exports; Congress cannot regulate/ban the slave trade for 20 years The importation of slaves continued until 1808

Constitutional Compromises Trade Compromise The Great Compromise Constitutional Compromises Electoral College Three Fifths Compromise

Ratification

The Finished Constitution On Sept. 17, 1787 all but three delegates signed the final draft of the Constitution

Ratification Debate Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Bill of Rights Added to appease critics of the Constitution (anti-Federalists)