3.2 The Constitutional Convention Civics and Economics

The Constitutional Convention Began May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall Began May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall Rhode Island did not attend Rhode Island did not attend

The Constitutional Convention There were 55 total delegates; they were well- educated men, eight delegates had signed the Declaration of Independence, seven had been governors of their states, and 41 were or had been members of the Continental Congress There were 55 total delegates; they were well- educated men, eight delegates had signed the Declaration of Independence, seven had been governors of their states, and 41 were or had been members of the Continental Congress

The Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin, 81 of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate; he was a famous diplomat, writer, inventor, and scientist Benjamin Franklin, 81 of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate; he was a famous diplomat, writer, inventor, and scientist

The Constitutional Convention George Washington presided over the convention George Washington presided over the convention He was unanimously chosen because of his leadership during the American Revolution He was unanimously chosen because of his leadership during the American Revolution

Operating Procedures Delegates agreed each state had 1 vote, they also agreed a simple majority of 7 votes would decide any issue Delegates agreed each state had 1 vote, they also agreed a simple majority of 7 votes would decide any issue They also decided to keep the work of the convention secret, this made it possible for the delegates to talk freely, the meetings were closed to the public They also decided to keep the work of the convention secret, this made it possible for the delegates to talk freely, the meetings were closed to the public

Operating Procedures The only details we have are from a notebook kept by James Madison, a delegate from Virginia The only details we have are from a notebook kept by James Madison, a delegate from Virginia

Operating Procedures Delegates agreed that changing the Articles of Confederation was not enough, they decided to dispose of them and write a new constitution Delegates agreed that changing the Articles of Confederation was not enough, they decided to dispose of them and write a new constitution

The Virginia Plan Proposed by James Madison Proposed by James Madison 3 branches of government 3 branches of government Bicameral legislature- representation would be based on each state’s population, larger states would have more votes than smaller states Bicameral legislature- representation would be based on each state’s population, larger states would have more votes than smaller states

The New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson Proposed by William Paterson Unicameral legislature with equal representation Unicameral legislature with equal representation Congress could set taxes and regulate Congress could set taxes and regulate trade

US Census 1790: Population by State StatePopulationSlavesPercentage StatePopulationSlavesPercentage VA747,550292, VA747,550292, PA433,6113, PA433,6113, NC395,000100, NC395,000100, MA378, MA378, NY340,24121, NY340,24121, MD319,728103, MD319,728103, SC249,073107, SC249,073107, CT237,6552, CT237,6552, NJ184,13911, NJ184,13911, NH141, NH141, GA82,54829, GA82,54829, RI69, RI69, DE59,0968, DE59,0968,

The Great Compromise For six weeks delegates debated the two plans, a committee headed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut came up with an answer For six weeks delegates debated the two plans, a committee headed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut came up with an answer

The Great Compromise Bicameral Congress with a Senate and a House of Representatives Bicameral Congress with a Senate and a House of Representatives Equal rep. in the Senate Equal rep. in the Senate House is by population House is by population Historians call Sherman’s plan the Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise Historians call Sherman’s plan the Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise

The Three-Fifths Compromise Southern states wanted to count slaves as part of their populations to increase their voting power in the House, the Northern states opposed this idea Southern states wanted to count slaves as part of their populations to increase their voting power in the House, the Northern states opposed this idea

The Three-Fifths Compromise In the Three-Fifths Compromise, delegates agreed that every 5 enslaved persons would count as 3 free persons In the Three-Fifths Compromise, delegates agreed that every 5 enslaved persons would count as 3 free persons 3/5 of a state’s slave population would count towards representation in Congress 3/5 of a state’s slave population would count towards representation in Congress

US Census 1790: Population by State StatePopulationSlavesPercentage StatePopulationSlavesPercentage VA747,550292, VA747,550292, PA433,6113, PA433,6113, NC395,000100, NC395,000100, MA378, MA378, NY340,24121, NY340,24121, MD319,728103, MD319,728103, SC249,073107, SC249,073107, CT237,6552, CT237,6552, NJ184,13911, NJ184,13911, NH141, NH141, GA82,54829, GA82,54829, RI69, RI69, DE59,0968, DE59,0968,

Slave Trade and Commerce Compromise Southern states agreed that Congress could regulate trade between the states as well as with other countries In exchange, the North agreed that Congress could not tax exports or interfere with the slave trade before 1808

The Electoral College Some delegates thought members of Congress should choose the president; others believed people should vote to decide Some delegates thought members of Congress should choose the president; others believed people should vote to decide Electoral College= a group of people named to each state legislature to select the President and VP Electoral College= a group of people named to each state legislature to select the President and VP

The Electoral College Today

Ratification On September 17, 1787 the delegates signed the Constitution, the next step was to win ratification, or approval, it would occur when 9 out of 13 states ratified it and would become the supreme law of the land

Federalists For the Constitution For the Constitution They chose this name to emphasize the Constitution would create a system of federalism, where power is divided between the federal (national) government and the states They chose this name to emphasize the Constitution would create a system of federalism, where power is divided between the federal (national) government and the states

The Federalists Federalists wanted a strong national government Federalists wanted a strong national government In a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay defended the Constitution and tried to get support for it In a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay defended the Constitution and tried to get support for it

Federalists Federalist leaders- Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

Anti-Federalists Against the Constitution Against the Constitution Their main argument was the Constitution would take away liberties Americans won from Britain Their main argument was the Constitution would take away liberties Americans won from Britain Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms

Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalists Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Richard Henry Lee

Anti-Federalists Federalists eventually agreed a bill of rights was necessary, they promised if the Constitution was adopted they would add one to it Federalists eventually agreed a bill of rights was necessary, they promised if the Constitution was adopted they would add one to it On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution and it took effect On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution and it took effect

Anti-Federalists The four remaining states ratified the Constitution, the last being Rhode Island in 1790; the 13 states were now one nation, the United States of America The four remaining states ratified the Constitution, the last being Rhode Island in 1790; the 13 states were now one nation, the United States of America