The Constitutional Convention

The Convention A meeting in Philadelphia, US capital, with the purpose of –Amending/fixing the problems associated w/the Articles of Confederation –Such as: –No Executive to enforce laws (Shay’s Rebellion) –No power to tax –No Judicial branch –No power of interstate trade –No law forbidding states from coining $$$

Where, When, Who Philadelphia- May-September delegates from 12 states Wealthy white males George Washington was president of the secret meetings

Too Many Problems The Delegates at the Convention decided there were too many problems with the Articles and decided to Create an entirely NEW CONSTITUTION –the Articles of Confederation was eliminated

Compromise (representation) The LARGE and small states fought over REPRESENTATION in Congress The more representatives = the more power a state would have in Congress –Power = money and decision making The Great Compromise solved the representation debate A Bi-cameral legislature (2 houses) was created 1.House of Representatives-based on population 2.Senate-two for each state Connecticut Compromise

Compromises (Slavery) Should African slaves count toward a states total population? –gain more representatives and more power in the new government Southern states = YES Northern states = NO 3/5 Compromise For every 5 slaves a state had 3 counted for representation and taxation International slave trade would END in 1808

Compromises (commerce) Under the Articles trade was controlled by the STATES –Northern states wanted national government to have this power –Southern states feared a loss of $$ through new export taxes- cotton Control of interstate trade went to National government –Interstate commerce clause –All trade between the states would be controlled by the National government –National government also would COIN money –Import taxes (tariffs) –but no export taxes Commerce Compromise

Compromises (Election of President) Should the people elect the President OR Should the state legislatures elect the President Decision: The Electoral College Indirectly elect the president with a group of electors/delegates This was done because the leaders didn’t trust the people to make good decisions!

Problems and Compromises Debt from the revolution was another issue that needed to be dealt with Southern states had paid theirs Northern states still owed millions to other nations Southern states agreed to pay off the debt as a nation if The new nations capital was placed in the south This issue and compromise was known as Assumption

A New Plan of Government By September 1787 the meeting was done The delegates had created a brand new constitution The Constitution of The United States of America It now needed to be ratified/approved by 9 of 13 states

The Fight for Ratification Federalists vs. Anti-federalists Favored ratifying Saw no need to add/change the new plan Organized supporters to write essays telling why new plan should be ratified- The Federalist Papers GEORGE WASHINGTON FAVORED RATIFICATION Feared the new constitution would result in A loss of personal and state rights Demanded a Bill of Rights be added To guarantee civil liberties/rights

The Fight for Ratification Federalists vs. Anti-federalists Promised to add a Bill of Rights in return wanted Guarantee Constitution would be ratified Agreed to ratification with addition of Bill of Rights 10 total 1791 This became the final compromise The Constitution is known as a Bundle of Compromises

Articles vs. Constitution No power to tax No Executive No Judicial Branch No control over trade between the states States could coin $$$ State governments most power National gov’t taxes President to enforce laws Supreme Court to interpret laws Controls interstate commerce/trade Only the national gov’t can coin $$$ NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SUPREME TO STATES