Constitutional Convention delegates gather in Philadelphia. All states but Rhode Island send delegates.
Susannah Dillwyn wrote: Read (no notes!)” “There is now sitting in this city a grand convention, who are to form some new system of government or mend the old one. I suppose it is a body of great consequence, as they say it depends entirely upon their pleasure whether we shall in the future have a congress.”
Decisions, decisions.... Met to REVISE the Articles of Confederation States’ delegates realized they needed to change the entire government after discussions began
Decisions, decisions.... Delegates decided to meet in secret so they could speak their minds freely They wished to explore issues and solutions without outside pressures (like foreign influences, the press).
Philadelphia
Constitutional Convention
The Delegates (elected representatives came from each state except Rhode Island) Ben Franklin, 81, is oldest delegate, wise in the ways of government and human nature. James Madison of Virginia is best prepared. He studied books on history, politics, and commerce.“Father of the Constitution”
The Delegates (elected representatives from each state) Alexander Hamilton of New York really despised the Articles (he is on the $10 bill and designed our decimal monetary system)
The Delegates (elected representatives from each state) George Washington of Virginia is elected president of the convention since he was so well-respected from his military leadership.
GW even looked the part of leader
The Delegates from Georgia (elected representatives from Georgia) Abraham Baldwin William Few
Compromises had to be made. Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan are combined to make a bicameral legislature (2 houses) The Great Compromise House of Representatives – based on population of state Senate – two per state (upper house)
The Great Compromise, continued. Both plans called for three branches of government: LegislativeExecutiveJudicial CongressPresidentSupreme Court Makes LawsCarries out lawsDecides if laws are (“executes”)“Constitutional” (fair)
More Compromises Three-Fifths Compromise Southern states wanted slaves to be counted as part of the population to determine representatives. 3/5 of the slave population would be counted Northern states argued that since slaves didn’t vote, the shouldn’t be counted
More Compromises Slave Trade Southerners thought a ban on slavery would ruin their economy. Northerners agreed that Congress could not outlaw the slave trade for at least 20 years. After that, Congress could regulate the slave trade if it wished. Fugitive slaves would be returned to owners.
Signed into law September 17, 1787 “I doubt... Whether any other Convention... may be able to make a better Constitution... I cannot help expressing a wish, that every member of the Convention, who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and... Put his name to this instrument. Ben Franklin
Some refused to sign because... The new Constitution gave too much power to the national government. 9/13 states had to ratify (approve) Many state delegates refused to sign until a “Bill of Rights” was added. When individual freedoms were guaranteed by the first 10 amendments, they ratified the constitution.
A Living Document The United States had a “living document” to govern all the states – it could change with new conditions, and changing society. The power of government was carefully balanced between the three branches, so no one branch could become too powerful. Powers are divided between the federal (national) and state governments This balance has helped keep it alive for more than 200 years, longer than any other written constitution in the world. kcl