constitutional convention - wordpress.com · constitutional convention •may 25, 1787 •met in...
TRANSCRIPT
Constitutional ConventionWhy were the people who attended just as
important as the decisions made at the Constitutional Conventions?
A Convention to…
•REVISE THE ARITCLES OF CONFEDERATION
Constitutional Convention
•May 25, 1787
•Met in Independence Hall (PA State House)
• Elected Washington president of Convention • Didn’t really like the role
The Delegates
•55 people from 12 states•Rhode Island boycotted
• John Adams & Jefferson – overseas
•Franklin – oldest to attend (81)
•Most were men approx. 42 years old
•Most were lawyers & has served in state gov’t
Father of the Constitution
•Madison (Virginia)
• Took lots of notes
•Kept a record of the day-to-day happenings in convention
Rule of Secrecy
•No one outside (at the time) knew what was happening
•Representatives had to feel free speaking – kept secret what was going on
•Nothing appeared in a newspaper until after it ended
A Republic
•Most delegates agree it’s the best way to protect rights
•Mostly agreed that only free white males can vote
•Concern over how powerful to make the federal government • Feared it would threaten the rights of states • Feared it would threaten individual freedoms
Procedure:
•One state delegate nominates one of the proposals
• The nomination is seconded by another state
•Nomination is discussed and debated for approx. 5 minutes
•Vote on the proposal
• To pass, a majority must agree
• If it doesn’t pass, nominate a new proposal
The Convention EndsHow could the conflict between Federalists and Anti-Federalists cause more conflict in
the future?
Approving the Constitution
• 9 states needed to ratify in order for it to go into effect
• Madison believed the people should ratify
• Delegates signed Constitution – then it went to special conventions with delegates elected by the people in each state for ratification
Signing the Constitution • September 17,1787 – Constitution became
“complete”
• Franklin didn’t totally support it but wanted other to just sign it • “I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not
the best”
• 13 delegates left before the convention ends –didn’t sign
• 3 didn’t sign because they believed it gave too much power to the federal government or didn’t protect the rights of the people
Constitution Goes to the States
• Once it went to the states, the whole country began arguing over what the convention had already fought about
Federalists
• Supporters of the Constitution
• A strong national government could unite the states
• Led by Jay, Madison, & Hamilton
• Pointed out that the powers of the federal government were strictly limited
• System of 3 branches limited the powers of each branch
Anti-Federalists • Opponents of the Constitution
• Feared Congress would put too many taxes on the country
• Claimed president could rule like a king
• Judicial branch would overpower state courts
• Main complaint – didn’t list the rights of the people