The Road to the Philadelphia

Before the Constitution was drafted….

The 13 states operated under the Articles of Confederation

On Jan. 21, 1786, the Virginia Legislature, following James Madison’s recommendation, invited all states to discuss ways to reduce interstate conflicts in Annapolis, Maryland

Only five states attended the Annapolis Convention Only five states attended the Annapolis Convention. They endorsed a motion for all states to meet in Philadelphia in May, 1787.

Shay’s rebellion occurred in the interim period, convincing the hesitant states that changes in the Articles of Confederation were necessary.

So, off to Philadelphia we go…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“The City of Brotherly Love” Constitution Hall

6th largest city in the USA!

The Road to Philadelphia

By 1787… most states recognized that the national government needed to be strengthened

May 1787 Twelve states sent delegates to Philadelphia to fix the Articles of Confederation

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Philadelphia

Constitution Hall

Inside Constitution Hall

A Distinguished Gathering

55 men – “Founding Fathers”

Most were wealthy, well-educated, and had political experience.

All were white males

Women, African-Americans, and American Indians were not represented.

Thomas Jefferson, in France during the convention, characterized the delegates as an assembly of “demi-gods”

John Adams was also in Europe

Patrick Henry was absent … he “smelt a rat in Philadelphia, tending toward the monarchy”

Rhode Island refused to send delegates

The oldest delegate … Ben Franklin

81 years young!

Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.

Franklin wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac

Words of Wisdom by Franklin! “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned” “I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.”

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” “Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” “Well done is better than well said.” “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.” “If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.” “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”

“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.” “There was never a bad peace or a good war.” “Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.” “Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”

“If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty.” “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” “Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today.” “To find out a girl's faults, praise her to her girlfriends.” “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” “Life’s biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late” “Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.”

Early Decisions

Delegates chose George Washington to preside over the convention

George Washington

Meetings would only be held if delegates from at least seven states were present (quorum)

Decisions would be made by simple majority vote

Each state would have one vote

To enable everyone to speak freely… All meetings were closed to the public… Discussions would be kept secret… No formal records were kept.

Most of what we know about the convention comes from the journal kept by James Madison.

James Madison “The Father of the Convention”

James Madison University in Virginia

The delegates agreed that simply changing the Articles was not enough.

They agreed to discard the Articles and write a new constitution.

Thus, the meeting came to be known as the Constitutional Convention.

The Constitutional Convention

Also known as the Federal Convention (because it created a federal system of government)

Federalism the sharing of powers and responsibilities between different levels of government

May 25 – September 17, 1787

The result of the Convention was the United States Constitution

Reminder: A constitution is a written plan for government

We celebrate Constitution Day every year every… September 17th

Teaching points: The Constitution was signed by 39 men Thirteen of the original 55 had left because they were not happy with the proceedings. Of the forty-two remaining, 3 refused to sign it. It did not become law when it was signed on September 17, 1787. It would have to be ratified by the states The approval of 9 states was necessary for ratification

The Convention is one of the central events in the history of the United States