The Road to the Constitution
5
Quick Review Declaration of Independence –Second Continental Congress –Approved July 4, 1776 The Articles of Confederation –1777, our first constitution –Weak federal government –Shay’s Rebellion,
Strengthening the National Government 1787 Problems with the Articles of Confederation States sent delegates to Philadelphia to fix the A.O.C. Rhode Island did not go…they did not want a stronger central government
The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 Independence Hall, Philadelphia An extraordinary group of men –55 men –Well-educated –Lawyers, merchants, college presidents, doctors, generals, governors, and planters with considerable political experience
Who was there? Who missed it? Benjamin Franklin –81, oldest delegate George Washington & James Madison –Both would become president Thomas Jefferson & John Adams –Both were in Europe Patrick Henry –Prominent Virginian –He was invited but did not attend; he was against the convention
The Boss Who was chosen to preside over the convention? George Washington –Respected for his leadership during the Rev. War
Procedures of the Convention Each state was only allowed one vote Majority votes from all states made decisions All discussions were a secret! Why…? –This way, delegates could speak freely, without worry about how the public would react
Importance of the Constitutional Convention “I would bury my bones in this city rather than leave the Convention without anything being done.” -George Mason at the Constitutional Convention *Everyone knew that failure could mean disaster*
What happened to the… Articles of Confederation??? They throw it away, decided to write a new constitution…
Two Opposing Plans VS. Virginia vs. New Jersey
Two Opposing Plans The Virginia Plan –James Madison –3 branches of government –Bicameral legislature (2 houses), determined by population –Favored big states
Two Opposing Plans The New Jersey Plan William Patterson 3 branches of government Unicameral legislature (1 house) with equal representation Favored smaller states
Two Opposing Plans What was the big issue? How representation in Congress would be decided Larger states wanted more power, smaller states wanted equal power
The Great Compromise Lower House –House of Representatives –Determined by population –2 year terms –Favored larger states Upper House –Senate –Equal representation –6 year terms –Favored smaller states Also known as… The Connecticut Compromise What is a compromise??? A way of resolving disagreements in which each side gives up something but gains something else
More arguing? What now? MORE COMPROMISE! 3/5 Compromise Electoral College
Finished…finally! September 17, 1787, finished up the Constitution Delegates signed it, said the Constitution would become the law of the land when… –9 out of 13 states ratified (approved) it
So everyone in the entire United States of America loved the Constitution and every state ratified it immediately and we all had a big party and we all lived happily ever after, right…?
Wrong!
A Divided Public Some people liked the Constitution, others did not Federalists = supporters of the new constitution & a strong federal government Federalism = A form of government in which power is divided between the federal (national) government and the states
A Divided Public Some Federalists wrote papers to rally support for the Constitution They were called the Federalist Papers (duh) Who wrote ‘em? –Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay
A Divided Public What about those who didn’t like the Constitution? Anti-Federalists = People opposed to the constitution & a strong federal government –“Don’t forget individual rights!”
Reaching an Agreement Anti-Federalists wanted to add… –The Bill of Rights The Federalists promised to do so, and did New Hampshire, 9th state to ratify –June 21, 1788 –The Constitution went into effect The last state to ratify…? –Rhode Island, 1790
Federalist Number 51 “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” -James Madison