Road to Constitution Delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787 to rework the Articles of Confederation

The Delegates: reps  55 delegates  White males  Well-educated  Lawyers, merchants, generals, planters, governors, ect.  Not there: Jefferson, Adams & Henry  Ages:  Oldest Franklin: 81  Others relatively younger  55 delegates  White males  Well-educated  Lawyers, merchants, generals, planters, governors, ect.  Not there: Jefferson, Adams & Henry  Ages:  Oldest Franklin: 81  Others relatively younger

Early Key Decisions:  George Washington to preside  Meeting could not be held without certain number of states present  Each state one vote  Simple majority decide issues  Keep work a secret  Articles bad: => Constitutional Convention  George Washington to preside  Meeting could not be held without certain number of states present  Each state one vote  Simple majority decide issues  Keep work a secret  Articles bad: => Constitutional Convention

Creating the Constitution Not an easy job, but some of the most significant minds at work here to compromise and create our government

Two Plans for Government  VA plan  Large state plan  Massachusetts  Pennsylvania  New York  Virginia  Introduced by Madison  3 branches  Executive  Judicial  Legislative: based on population in both houses  NJ plan  Small state plan  Delaware  New Jersey  Maryland  Introduced by Patterson  3 branches  Executive  Judicial  Legislative: one house based on equality

Compromise for Representation in Congress  Connecticut Compromise/Great Compromise  Introduced by Sherman  Three branches  Judicial branch  Executive branch  Legislative branch  Two house legislature  House of Representatives: based on population  Senate: based on equality

NORTH/SOUTH COMPROMISES  3/5 COMPROMISE  SLAVE TRADE AND COMMERCE COMPROMISE

Presidential Election Compromise  Electoral college  For President  Still used today

Balancing View Points The First Political Parties: Federalist & Anti-Federalist

Federalist  For constitution  For strong central government  Federalism (Federal System): share power between state & national governments  Federalist Papers--essays  John Jay  Alexander Hamilton  James Madison

Anti-Federalist  Against constitution  Protect individual rights and state rights  Freedom of speech and religion  Against strong central government  For state government power  Refused to sign until addition of Bill of Rights

Dates to Remember  September 17, 1787: ready and signed by delegates  June 21, 1788: New Hampshire, ninth state to ratify and constitution became law  1791: added Bill of Rights