Constitutional Convention1787
Key attendees:• George Washington• James Madison• George Mason• Alexander Hamilton• Benjamin Franklin• James Wilson• Gouverneur Morris• Edmund Randolph• Roger Sherman• Elbridge Gerry• William Patterson
Not attending:• Thomas Jefferson• John Adams• Patrick Henry• John Hancock• Samuel Adams• Richard Henry Lee• Rhode Island
Philadelphia Convention
• May 1787• 55 delegates
– Every state except RI– From propertied class “without being rich all are
in easy circumstances”-Fr. diplomat
• Nationalists wanted to strengthen the central government
• Elected George Washington as presiding officer• Met in “secret”
Virginia Plan
• Powerful national government– Supremacy of national authority
• Rejected state sovereignty– National gov’t could veto state laws
– National government would have direct authority over people
– Citizens would elect the lower house of national legislature
• Lower house representation based on population• Lower house would then name the members of the upper
house– Both houses would then choose judiciary and executive
James Madison
New Jersey Plan
• National gov’t could– Raise revenue– Control commerce– Make binding requisitions on states
• Executive, appointed by Congress, of several individuals
• Judicial appointed by Executive
• Each state had one vote in a unicameral legislature
• States could control own laws
William Paterson
Debate and Near Collapse
• After about two weeks of discussion– Supported NJ Plan
• NJ, DE• 1/2 of MD• 2/3 of NY
• VA Plan still basis of discussion• Key Questions:
1. How should representatives from each state be determined?
2. What powers should the national gov’t have?
– Created committee to solve– One delegate from each state
Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises
After deciding to scrap the Articles of Confederation, what to do?
• “Large State Plan” vs. “Small State Plan”
“Great Compromise”
Political Negotiation• “Great Compromise”
– Upper house 2 delegates from each state– Lower house based on population
• Federal Judicial System– States had own courts and feared losing this
power – Convention left creation of system up to new
national legislature
• Voting was not restricted to just property owners
• Upper house chosen by state legislatures
• President elected by an electoral college
States and their legislatures had some power + the people had more direct power = acceptance of reduction of state sovereignty?
Compromises cont.• Slavery
– 3/5 Compromise– Slave trade would exist for at least 20 years
• Separation of Powers– Federalism
• States and national government– Branches of government
• Legislative• Executive• Judicial
• Electoral College
Constitutional Convention adjourned on 9/17/1787
-Constitution now had to be ratified by voters
RatificationProcess to ratify the new Constitution Article VII
Voterschoose
delegates
State convention
voted on Constitution
9 states needed to pass for Constitution to replace Articles
Ratification of the Constitution• Conducted in special conventions nine states and it would go into
effect
Federalists vs. Anti-FederalistsUnited States vs. States United
*Federalist Papers written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay– 85 essays to gain support for republican political doctrine
• Ex. Explained “checks and balances”, benefits of large republic
*Bill of Rights promised to be added later– MA, NY, VA
• Met 9 state requirement in 1788
Controversy Over the Constitution
• When the Constitution was printed in the newspapers people were shocked– Delegates created a NEW constitution
• Framers set up procedure they thought gave the Constitution the best chance to be ratified
Voterschoose
delegates
State convention
voted on Constitution
9 states needed to pass
for Constitution to replace Articles
Bypassed state legislatures
Opposing Sides
Federalists• Supporters of the
Constitution• Liked balance of
power between states and national gov’t– Separation of power
would protect against tyranny
Antifederalists• Opposed the new
Constitution– Lack of protection for
individual rights
Opposing Sides cont.• Both sides tried to gain popular support
• Letter from the Federal Farmer– Rights that needed more
protection• Speech, press, religion,
trial by jury, searches, etc.
• The Federalist (Papers)– 85 essays defending
the Constitution– 1787-1788 in NY
Bill of Rights – Key to Ratification
• Federalists promised to add a bill of rights if the Constitution was ratified
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/ratification/map/?state=Delaware