Constitution

The Constitutional Convention Philadelphia, PA 1787 ”Framers” or “Founding Fathers” 55 delegates from 12 states Well educated; lawyers, merchants, doctors, veterans Originally met to revise AoC, but it was scrapped after debates over: Slavery Representation in Congress Strength of national gov’t 39 signed

Compromises of the Constitutional Convention Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) Created bicameral legislature House of Reps and Senate NJ, VA 538 Census every 10 years 3/5 Compromise North v. South over whether slaves would be counted in Congress 3/5 slaves counted towards pop South get more representation in Congress

Slave Trade Electoral College Congress could regulate (control) trade between states and other countries Electoral College Citizens indirectly elect the POTUS Electors from each state decide who wins Presidency Protect the national government from bad leader Keeping some power away from citizens

The Constitution Finished 1787 but had to be ratified by 9/13 states Organization of the Constitution was influenced by the Enlightenment Goal was to create a strong, central gov. PLUS give power to the states and people 5 principles of the Constitution Popular sovereignty Checks and balances Separation of powers Federalism Limited government

Principles of the Constitution Popular sovereignty “rule by the people” Created representative gov. that elected officials based on voters wants Limited government Gov cannot take advantage of the rights of people Separation of powers 3 branch system Legislative, Executive, Judicial Keeps 1 branch from becoming more powerful

Checks and balances Federalism Each branch has the power to “check” or limit the power of the others Congress makes laws, but POTUS can veto Federalism Division of Power between states and fed gov

Approval 9/13 states had to ratify Anti-federalists v. federalists Each state held its own convention to vote Anti-federalists v. federalists Fed supported strong, central gov, with no Bill of Rights Merchants, city Anti-Federalists felt new Constitution gave too much power to federal gov Needed to guarantee rights and freedoms Farmers Many refused to sign Added the Bill of Rights Last Compromise Went into effect in 789

Federalist Papers Fear that anti-fed would halt ratification Released 85 essays “The Federalist Papers” Written by James Madison , John Jay, Alexander Hamilton Explained why Constitution was needed and how it worked