The Constitutional Convention “I am mortified beyond expression that in the moment of our acknowledged independence we should by our conduct…render ourselves ridiculous…in the eyes of all Europe. We are fast verging to anarchy and confusion.” “I am mortified beyond expression that in the moment of our acknowledged independence we should by our conduct…render ourselves ridiculous…in the eyes of all Europe. We are fast verging to anarchy and confusion.” -George Washington -George Washington

This Meeting Had Better Start! Confederation Congress requested a National Convention to be assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the purpose of revising/amending the Articles Confederation Congress requested a National Convention to be assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the purpose of revising/amending the Articles States nominated their delegates States nominated their delegates Each state had varying numbers of reps Each state had varying numbers of reps Each state to have 1 vote in meetings regardless of # of reps Each state to have 1 vote in meetings regardless of # of reps

A Meeting of the Minds Who were these guys?? George Washington Virginia Delegate General Landowner James Madison Virginia Delegate Lawyer Arrived 2 weeks early Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania Delegate Scientist Philosopher Alexander Hamilton Economist/ Political Philosopher Called for convention

Who wasn’t there??? Thomas Jefferson Serving as Representative In France Called this a meeting of “demi-gods” John Adams Serving as Representative in London

Other Noticeable Absences Patrick Henry Patrick Henry Refused a position as a delegate Refused a position as a delegate “I smell a rat – and it smells like monarchy” “I smell a rat – and it smells like monarchy” State of Rhode Island refused to send delegates State of Rhode Island refused to send delegates “Rogue Island” “Rogue Island”

Politics?? Politics is defined for our purposes by Webster’s Dictionary as, “the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy” Politics is defined for our purposes by Webster’s Dictionary as, “the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy” Was politics already in use in 1787?? Was politics already in use in 1787??

Federalists Federalists Federalists Believed in the need for a strong national government Believed in the need for a strong national government Key in the call for creating new governance Key in the call for creating new governance Famous Federalists: John Adams, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton Famous Federalists: John Adams, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton

Anti-Federalists Believed that a strong national government would trample on states’ sovereignty and individuals rights Believed that a strong national government would trample on states’ sovereignty and individuals rights Against movement to eradicate A of C Against movement to eradicate A of C Famous Anti-Federalists: Patrick Henry, George Mason, Sam Adams Famous Anti-Federalists: Patrick Henry, George Mason, Sam Adams

Pennsylvania State House Independence Hall Site of preparation of Declaration of Independence Site of preparation of Declaration of Independence Centrally located in the 13 States Centrally located in the 13 States Site of Revolutionary Government at various times Site of Revolutionary Government at various times

Proceedings of the Convention Selection of President Selection of President This person would serve as presiding officer of the Committee of the Whole This person would serve as presiding officer of the Committee of the Whole Who would you select? Who would you select? Washington Presides Over Constitutional Convention

Do we need to elect anyone else? Should there be a secretary? Should there be a secretary? William Jackson William Jackson Born 1759 Born 1759 Cumberland, England Cumberland, England Revolutionary soldier Revolutionary soldier Lawyer Lawyer Took notes of proceedings & votes at Convention Took notes of proceedings & votes at Convention

Is it time to get down to business? Life-size representations of delegates at the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA Life-size representations of delegates at the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA

What’s next Should we decide on the rules of the meetings?? Should we decide on the rules of the meetings?? What would be good rules to establish to conduct our meeting? What would be good rules to establish to conduct our meeting? Is secrecy important? Is secrecy important? WHY???? WHY????

Logistics of the Convention # 1 Rule: Secrecy # 1 Rule: Secrecy 1. Considered important so that the delegates could voice their opinions in the open, yet change their minds 2. Notes on proceedings would be kept, but not made public

More Rules? Rule #2 – Continued debate Rule #2 – Continued debate No issue would be considered final No issue would be considered final This was viewed as an important point This was viewed as an important point Allowed any point to be re-opened for debate Allowed any point to be re-opened for debate

Did they need to concentrate? All shades were kept drawn for maximum privacy All shades were kept drawn for maximum privacy Hay was strewn on the cobblestone streets surrounding the Hall to reduce the noise Hay was strewn on the cobblestone streets surrounding the Hall to reduce the noise

When did the Convention begin? May 14, 1787 May 14, 1787 Date set to begin meeting Date set to begin meeting May 25, 1787 May 25, 1787 Date that quorum was finally reached to begin proceedings Date that quorum was finally reached to begin proceedings

Now your work begins… Each state delegation will convene in the computer lab Each state delegation will convene in the computer lab Use the worksheet provided for each state to catalog information about the delegates representing your state. Use the worksheet provided for each state to catalog information about the delegates representing your state. Use only the site: Use only the site: