1. Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Pages 142-148
Chapter 5 Section2
Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
Pages

2. Objectives
1. Explain how the Virginia Plan called for a stronger federal government.
2. Understand the major compromises that were reflected in the Constitution.
3. Discuss why the Antifederalists opposed the Constitution, and how the Federalists responded.
4. Recount why all 13 states ratified the Constitution.

3. The Call to Philadelphia
May 14, 1787: Constitutional Convention was scheduled in Philadelphia. The Convention was called to strengthen the government. May 25, 1787: enough delegates had arrived to proceed. The delegates met in what is now Independence Hall [Pennsylvania’s State House]. The delegates agreed to keep the proceedings secret. They all agreed that debate would flow more freely. Delegates were wealthy, well educated, businessmen, planters, bankers, and many had studied law. Some delegates missed the Convention. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were representing America in Europe. Patrick Henry didn’t attend, because he thought the delegates were plotting to take away state’s rights.

4. Federal Power Versus States’ Rights
Governor Edmund Randolph of Virginia introduced the Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison. He believed that Federalism, or division of powers between a strong central government and the states.
Madison’s leadership at the convention earned him the nickname, “ father of the Constitution.”

5. The Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan gave Congress the rights to overturn state laws, tax the states, and “call froth the force of the Union against any [state]…failing to fulfill its duty.” Many delegates were concerned about the moving away from states’ sovereignty.
Called for three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Legislative branch would be bicameral-two houses. Citizens would vote on the lower house, who would choose members of upper house. State populations would determine the number of representatives in each house. Of course larger and smaller states’ disagreed about representation.
William Patterson of New Jersey: Proposed the New Jersey Plan which proposed a unicameral-one house legislature each state having one vote. The federal government would have the power to tax and regulate commerce. The Convention declined the New Jersey Plan and continued to debate the Virginia Plan.

6. Compromise at the Convention
The Great Compromise:
Granted each state an equal voice in the upper house regardless of size
accorded representation in the lower house based on population
The Three-Fifths Compromise:
a. Established that three fifths of a state’s slave population would count in determining its representation

7. Commerce Compromise:
Established that Congress could levy tariffs on imports, but not exports
allowed the importation of slaves until the end of 1807
Completing the Constitution:
July 26, 1787: committee of five delegates began the task of drafting the Constitution.
August 6, 1787: presented to the full Convention and debated. Another committee prepared the finished document.
September 17, 1787: committee presented final version of the Constitution to the delegates. Handwritten by Governor Morris of Pennsylvania. Constitution went to Congress and then to states for ratification.

8. The Constitution and Slavery
Although the Constitution protected slavery in several of its provisions, it used curiously indirect wording to discuss that institution. For example, the provision that allowed slaveholders the right to pursue runaway slaves across state lines read “No Person held to Service of Labour in one State…escaping into another, shall be discharged from such Service or Labour.” In fact, the word slavery appeared nowhere in the Constitution until the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865.

9. Activity
Choose a partner to work with on this activity. Create a three-column chart on paper with headings Federalists, Antifederalists, and Why the Constitution Was Ratified. Task: Explain why the Federalists favored ratification and the Antifederalists opposed it. Create a political poster in support of the Federalist or Antifederalist position

10. The Ratification Struggle
Individual rights was an issue when it came to ratification. U.S. Constitution did not contain a bill of rights or a document describing the civil liberties or individual rights. The lack of a bill of rights outraged the Antifederalists, some refused to support ratification. The debates were bitter and heated by both sides. When the Constitution was ratified most Americans supported the outcome.