The Origins of American Government The Constitutional Convention

May 25, 1787 All states sent delegates except Rhode Island 74 people were appointed Only 55 attended 39 signed the final constitution

GEORGE WASHINGTON BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JAMES WILSON JAMES MADISON –FATHER OF THE CONSTITUTION

Washington presided over meeting Each state had one vote Majority vote made decisions Needed delegates from 7 states to hold meetings Public and press not invited

Abandon the old government and start fresh Limited and representative government 3 branches Limit power of the states Stronger national government

The Virginia Plan Edmund Randolph 2 chambers make up legislature –Lower is chosen by the people –Upper is chosen by the lower –Can bar state laws National executive and judiciary chosen by legislature Representation based on population

William Paterson Amend Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature –1–1 vote per state –C–Could impose taxes and regulate trade Weak executive Limited judiciary appointed by executive Representation is the same for each state

The Connecticut Compromise House of Representatives –Representation based on population –All laws dealing with spending and taxes start here Senate –2 members from each state –Members chosen by state legislatures

1/3 of the people in the south were slaves Southern states wanted slaves to count for representation but not taxes Northern states wanted slaves to count for taxes but not representation 3/5 of the enslaved people were counted for both purposes

Compromise on Commerce and Slave Trade North –Government should control trade with other nation South –Depended on agricultural exports –Trade agreements could hurt them –North would interfere with the slave trade

Compromise on Commerce and the Slave Trade Congress cant ban slave trade before 1808 Congress regulates interstate and foreign commerce No export taxes

Slavery ? They didn’t deal with it here so they could get the government set up Escaped slaves could be returned to owners Northern states start to outlaw slavery by the 1800’s They left it for later generations to deal with

Final Matters Last Compromises –P–President elected by the Electoral College –P–President serves a 4 year term –S–September 17, 1787: Document is ready Ratification –N–Needed 9 of 13 –G–Goes into effect on June 21, 1788 (NH) –D–Debated until May 29, 1790 (RI)

Federalists Many of the founders Supported by merchants, people in the city, and people from coastal regions Wanted a strong national government to prevent political disorder Didn’t feel the need for a Bill of Rights

Anti-Federalists Opposed the new constitution Supported by inland farmers and laborers Didn’t want a strong national government Wanted a Bill of Rights Mad that the Constitution was done in secret

Delaware Pennsylvania New Jersey Georgia Connecticut Massachusetts Maryland South Carolina New Hampshire Virginia New York North Carolina Rhode Island

President –G–George Washington Vice President –J–John Adams Capital: New York City 22 Senators & 55 Representatives March 4, 1789 = 1 st Congressional meeting April 30, 1789 = Washington takes office Madison creates Bill of Rights