UNIT 6 DELEGATES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Government officials realized after Shays’ Rebellion that a change was needed A convention of representatives from each state were called to Philadelphia in 1787
STATEHOUSE IN PHILADELPHIA SITE OF THE CONVENTION
INSIDE OF STATEHOUSE (TODAY) SITE OF THE CONVENTION
There were 74 men asked to come to Philadelphia but only 55 delegates arrived in Philadelphia
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
The average age of a delegate was 44 years old
BEN FRANKLIN (Pennsylvania) was the oldest at age 81 JONATHAN DAYTON (New Jersey) was the youngest at age 26
Most had some experience as politicians in their home states POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Most had some experience as politicians in their home states
40 of the delegates had been members of the Continental Congress
PROFESSION: 34 of the 55 were lawyers Also included soldiers, planters, educators, ministers, physicians, financiers, and merchants
Most were very wealthy and many owned slaves ECONOMIC STATUS: Most were very wealthy and many owned slaves
All the delegates were white men RACE: All the delegates were white men
None of the delegates were African-Americans, Hispanic, women, poor LEFT OUT: None of the delegates were African-Americans, Hispanic, women, poor
THE END
UNIT 6 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
A total of 12 states sent delegates to the convention Rhode Island is the only state that refused to send any delegates
Delegates had to make a choice: Fix the Articles of Confederation 2) Write a new form of government
The delegates decided to write a new plan of government Challenge was to create a strong national government but one that would not overpowering
The Constitutional Convention was held in the summer of _________ in the city of _________________. 1787 PHILADELPHIA
CONSTITUTION HALL - PHILADELPHIA
NATIONAL ARCHIVES – WASHINGTON DC HOME OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TODAY
55 There were ____ delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
JAMES MADISON _________________ read more than 100 books in preparation for the convention.
THOMAS JEFFERSON ______________________ and _______________ were not at the convention because they were overseas at the time. JOHN ADAMS
__________________ refused to attend the convention because he “smelled a rat” leading toward monarchy. PATRICK HENRY
__________________________ came out of retirement for the convention. GEORGE WASHINGTON
________________ was a famous scientist and statesman, gave wit and wisdom to the convention. BEN FRANKLIN
JAMES MADISON _________________ is known as the “Father of the Constitution” and took detailed notes.
_______________was chosen as president of the convention. GEORGE WASHINGTON
THE END
UNIT 6 COMPROMISES MR. Ramirez
COMPROMISE noun - a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions (gives in a little) to come to a result which solves a problem
1. GREAT COMPROMISE 2. 3/5 COMPROMISE 3. TRADE COMPROMISE 3 MAJOR COMPROMISES: 1. GREAT COMPROMISE 2. 3/5 COMPROMISE 3. TRADE COMPROMISE
Major debate was over how to set up the legislative branch of government (Congress)
It becomes a battle between smaller states and the ones with larger populations Large States Small States VS.
Several states submit plans for the type of legislature they want
1) The legislative branch would have two houses VIRGINIA PLAN 1) The legislative branch would have two houses 2) Both houses would assign representatives based on wealth/population
1) The legislature would have one house NEW JERSEY PLAN 1) The legislature would have one house 2) Each state would have only one vote in the legislature
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
The legislature would have two houses GREAT COMPROMISE The legislature would have two houses
SENATE – number of representatives for each state are equal GREAT COMPROMISE SENATE – number of representatives for each state are equal = 2 senators = 2 senators
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - based on population GREAT COMPROMISE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - based on population = 1 representative (493,000 people) = 52 representatives (38,800,000 people)
CONGRESS SENATE (100) EVERY STATE HAS EQUAL NUMBER (2) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (435) BASED ON POPULATION SO NOT EQUAL FOR EVERY STATE
TOTAL NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS FROM EACH STATE
2 houses for legislature THE GREAT COMPRomISE VIRGINIA PLAN 2 houses for legislature 2) NUMBER of people in congress set by wealth and population SENATE Number of people BASED ON EQUALITY = EACH STATE HAS SAME NUMBER GREAT COMPROMISE THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE 2 HOUSES NEW JERSEY PLAN 1) 1 house for legislature 2) Each state would have only one vote in the legislature Number of people BASED ON populations HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Next major issue to be decided is slavery and if slaves should be counted as population
3/5 COMPROMISE
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM: should slaves be counted as population for taxes and/or to determine representatives in the legislature
NORTH WANTS: Northern states want slaves not to be counted as to determine representatives but to be counted for taxes X
SOUTH WANTS: X Southern states want slaves to be counted to determine representatives but not for taxes
Compromise made was count slaves as 3/5 of a person THE 3/5 COMPROMISE: Compromise made was count slaves as 3/5 of a person This is used for taxes and to set up the number of reps in Congress
Northern states agree to do nothing about slave trade until 1808 Southern states agree to allow national government to regulate trade
No state gets everything they wanted but they wrote a constitution they thought would work overall
THE END
UNIT 6 FEDERALISTS VS ANTI-FEDERALISTS
Once the Constitution is written it must go to the states for their approval People will be able to vote for or against the Constitution
FEDERALISM – a system of government in which power is shared between the states and the national government
Two groups begin to develop: FEDERALISTS – want the Constitution to pass as is YES!!
ANTI-FEDERALISTS – do NOT want the Constitution to pass as is
FEDERALISTS The Constitution is awesome! I think everyone should rush out and vote for it! James Madison
FEDERALISTS 1) Supported taking some powers from the states and giving them to the national government
2) Wanted to divide powers among the different branches of government FEDERALISTS 2) Wanted to divide powers among the different branches of government EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL LEGISLATIVE
3) Wanted a single person to lead the executive branch FEDERALISTS 3) Wanted a single person to lead the executive branch
ANTI-FEDERALISTS The Constitution is not worth the paper it is printed on! Where is the Bill of Rights? George Mason
1) Wanted the states to keep the most important powers ANTI-FEDERALISTS 1) Wanted the states to keep the most important powers
EXECUTIVE (PRESIDENT) ANTI-FEDERALISTS 2) Wanted the legislative branch to have more power than the executive branch EXECUTIVE (PRESIDENT) LEGISLATIVE (CONGRESS)
ANTI-FEDERALISTS 3) Feared a single person in the executive branch might become a king or tyrant
ANTI-FEDERALISTS 4) Believed a Bill of Rights need to be added to the Constitution to protect people’s rights
Both sides published their viewpoints in newspapers, pamphlets, etc.
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS – a series of essays which supported the Federalists viewpoint (wanted the Constitution to pass)
The Federalists Papers were written by such men as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Federalists had an advantage because most newspapers supported their cause
By June of 1788 a total of 9 states had ratified (passed) the Constitution 9 states were required to officially make it the legal form of government
Two very important states though, Virginia and New York, had not yet passed it and were needed
Two important Virginians, GEORGE MASON and PATRICK HENRY were against the Constitution
Virginia finally passes it once they are convinced it will soon add a Bill of Rights
Rhode Island is the last state to officially ratify it in 1790
BILL OF RIGHTS – the first ten amendments to the Constitution Insures personal rights to each U.S. citizen
THE END