What was the purpose of holding a convention of state delegates in Philadelphia?

Shays Rebellion provided an example. Under the Articles of Confederation the States developed their own set of laws …the fruit of their victory would be “A multitude of Commonwealths, Crimes and Calamities, Centuries of mutual jealousies, Hatreds, Wars of Devastation; till at last the exhausted Provinces shall sink into Slavery under the yoke of some fortunate Conqueror.” - John Dickinson Letter to William Pitt, 1765 Use to show how what Dickinson believed if the colonies were to separate from GB, would happen was seemingly happening. Economic jealousies were growing, as well as a divide between slave and free economies Spain was pushing us from the South and the British had not left their posts in the Northwest.

A Meeting of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government The economy of the States was quickly declining. Leaders called for a meeting in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss providing the Articles of Confederation the power to regulate commerce Only 5 states delegates arrived, but determined to suggest a convention of all states in Philadelphia

The brain child of Alexander Hamilton who calls for a more vigorous and energetic government

Men like Washington, believe the Articles are inadequate for what the nation will need

James Madison comes with plan in hand and a caucus of nationalists forms and is determined to get rid of the confederation

Constitutional Convention Reaching a Compromise

Which Plan is closer to meeting the original goal of the Convention? Branches Three - legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislature was more powerful, as it chose people to serve in the executive and judicial branches. Legislature Two houses (bicameral). The House of Representatives was elected by the people and the Senate was elected by the state legislatures. Both were represented proportionally. Other Powers The legislature could regulate interstate trade, strike down laws deemed unconstitutional and use armed forces to enforce laws. Branches Three - legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislature appoints people to serve in the executive branch, and the executive branch selects the justices of the Supreme Court. Legislature One house (unicameral). States would be represented equally, so all states had the same power. Other Powers The national government could levy taxes and import duties, regulate trade, and state laws would be subordinate to laws passed by the national legislature. Which Plan is closer to meeting the original goal of the Convention?

Though the Convention adopted the Virginia Plan, Several Questions Still Remained How should the number of representatives from each state be determined? According to population? Should each state have an equal vote, no matter how large or small its population?

Solving the Problem of Representation Large States like Virginia desired Proportional Representation arguing in order for the new government to be more directly related to the people, states with larger populations should have more representatives. Small States like New Jersey desired Equal Representation arguing that a government under proportional representation would lead to domination by the more populated states.

“Where do the people fit in?” In the Virginia Plan the people are everywhere and the states no where In the New Jersey Plan the people are nowhere and the states everywhere “We are partly federal and partly national”

The Great Compromise Bi-Cameral or Two-House Legislature The House of Representatives would be elected by the people on the basis of proportional population. There would be equal representation of each state in the Senate. The legislatures of each state would select 2 Senators. Oliver Ellsworth & Roger Sherman of Connecticut "Mr. Sharman proposed that the proportion of suffrage in the 1st branch [the House] should be according to the respective numbers of free inhabitants; and that in the second branch or Senate, each state should have one vote and no more."

What Issues Separated the Northern and Southern States? SLAVERY

Changing Historian’s Viewpoint Charles Beard wrote a groundbreaking history of the making of the Constitution Argued economics played a major role Most delegates had invested in public securities and stood to gain from strengthening public credit He argued that the makers of the Constitution were seeking to protect their own economic interests

Viewpoints North Economy did not call for use of slaves Many opposed slavery Some worked toward abolishing slavery Some merchants who relied on trade with southern states were sympathetic South Needed slave labor to produce crops Viewed slaves as personal property Warned that their states would not ratify a Const. that denied them the right to keep slaves

3/5 Compromise Congress receives power to regulate commerce, but could not tax exports Constitution would not deal with importation of slaves until January 1, 1808 (20 years) – Could tax imported slaves in the meantime Slaves would be counted as 3/5 a person when determining population Fugitive Slave Clause of Article IV allowed for return of escaped slaves

“Without the ‘federal ratio’ no union could possibly have been formed