1. Philadelphia Convention a.k.a. Constitutional Convention
1787 – set up “for the sole and express purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation”

2. Philadelphia Convention
55 delegates from 12 states met in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall).
Most men were upper class Americans (lawyers, planters and merchants). Remember, most of America was farmers at the time.

3. Most famous delegates

4. Most famous delegates Ben Franklin George Washington
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison (“Father of the Constitution”)

5. Find the “Big 4”

7. Who’s this guy?

8. Who was NOT in Philly?

9. Delegates NOT in Philly
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Sam Adams
Patrick Henry
Thomas Paine
John Hancock

10. The Convention: “Bundle of Compromises”
Once they dumped the Articles they started discussing (after taking a vow of secrecy) the “new” constitution.
Much discussion and conflict led them to 4 main compromises:
Great Compromise
3/5 Compromise
Executive Compromise
Trade and Commerce Compromise

11. The Convention: “Bundle of Compromises”
Great Compromise - Congress
Large states wanted representation in Congress based on population. [Virginia Plan]
Small states wanted representation in Congress to be equal (like it was under the Articles). [NJ Plan]
Compromise: Bicameral legislature (Congress) made up of the House of Representatives (population) and the Senate (2 per state). [Conn. Plan]

12. The Convention: “Bundle of Compromises”
2. 3/5 Compromise – Representation of slaves
Now that population determined representation in the House of Representatives, the Southern states wanted to count their slaves (but not for taxation!)
The Northern states did not want them counted.
Compromise: Each slave would = 3/5 of a person for the population/House of Reps.
5 slaves=3 people

13. The Convention: “Bundle of Compromises”
3. Executive Compromise – President
Not having a leader wasn’t working.
How long would he serve?
Who would elect him?
Compromise: A President elected for a 4 year term by the Electoral College.
Indirect democracy! Can’t trust the masses?

14. The Convention: “Bundle of Compromises”
4. Trade and Commerce – slave trade/exports
Should the states control it like under the Articles?
Should the new Federal Gov’t control it?
Compromise: States would control intrastate trade (within your state) and the Federal Gov’t would control interstate trade (between states) and foreign trade (with other countries). No export duties allowed.
Slave trade would be OK until 1808—20 years.

15. National Constitution Center: Home

16. To Ratify the Constitution
Needed: 9 of 13 states
To Ratify the Constitution

17. To ratify the Constitution or not
Federalists
Anti-federalist
For Constitution: good balance between state and federal power
Don’t need a Bill of Rights
Against Constitution: thought national government to strong
Need a guarantee of rights- Bill of Rights

18. Federalists give in…
If Constitution ratified (9 of 13), they will add a Bill of Rights
New Hampshire
is the 9th state to ratify the Constitution on June 21st 1788
(9 months after Constitution Day)

19. But what about NY & Virginia?
Two of biggest and most influential states
Federalists and Anti-Federalist duke it out
John Jay,
James Madison Alexander Hamilton
Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams

20. What do you notice? Order Date State Yes No
# December 7, Delaware
# December 11, Pennsylvania
# December 18, New Jersey
# January 2, Georgia
# January 9, Connecticut
# February 6, Massachusetts
# April 26, Maryland
# May 23, South Carolina
# June 21, New Hampshire
# June 25, Virginia
# July 26, New York
# November 21, North Carolina
# May 29, Rhode Island

21. ¾ of states must ratify to become an amendment
Bill of Rights Added
12 amendments submitted to state legislatures in Sept. 1789…
¾ of states must ratify
to become an amendment

22. This leads to later Amendments...
1st 10 Amendments
Approved by 1791
One of the original 12 will be ratified in 1992 and become the 27th Amendment!
These protections and freedoms do not apply to all Americans…yet!
This leads to later Amendments...