The Birth of a Constitution The Constitution Unit 2 Lesson 1

Fixing the Articles of Confederation By 1787, it was clear that the Articles were failing and the country needed changes, each state was asked to send delegates to a convention to propose changes Convention began on May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall 55 delegates were well educated leaders with considerable experience in a variety of fields; who wasn’t represented? Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate, George Washington selected to lead convention Independence Hall

Washington's Leadership Washington set the tone about what failure would mean Decisions were to be made by a majority of the states, with each state having one vote All conversations were to be kept secret, good/bad? The delegates quickly agreed to discard the Articles and write a new constitution, why? Meeting became known as the “Constitutional Convention” Secret Meetings

Two Opposing Plans Virginia Plan: proposed by James Madison, called for 3 branches; legislative (2 houses), executive, judicial; states would be represented by population Larges states supported this plan, why? New Jersey Plan: proposed by William Paterson, called for three branches but only a one house legislature; each state got one vote Smaller states supported this plan, why? Virginia vs. New Jersey

Compromises Roger Sherman of Connecticut helped create a compromise between the two plans; the “Great Compromise” one house of the legislature based on population, the other would have equal representation; which house is which? Southern states wanted to count slaves as part of their population, why? 3/5 compromise: every five slave would count as three people for representation and tax figures South agreed that Congress could regulate trade, but they couldn’t tax exports or stop importation of slaves until 1808 Electoral college, people vs. Congress Roger Sherman

Approving the Constitution On Sept. 17, 1787 the delegates signed the Constitution written by James Madison In order to win ratification 9 of the 13 states would have to accept it Supporters were called Federalists Federalism: form of govt. in which the powers of govt. are divided between the national govt. and the states Those who opposed the Constitution were called Anti-Federalists

A Divided Public Federalist pointed out all the flaws in the Articles of Confederation In a series of essays known as The Federalist, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay defended the Constitution Anti-Federalists felt that the national government was given too much power and objected to the absences of a bill of rights Federalists agreed that if the Constitution was adopted the new government would add a bill of rights June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay