Topic 2b – Constitutional Convention Major Question: What challenges created the necessity for a new constitution and what problems emerged in ratification of this new document?

Convention Philadelphia Convention Shays + the Articles failures call for a new government “the most distinguished men in America” gather in Philly to debate a new government

Convention 55 delegates 29 college degree 34 lawyers 24 congressmen 21 veterans 19 owned slaves 0 women 0 African Americans 0 Native Americans

Agreement Division of power Checks and Balances Sovereignty Majority Federal government divided into 3 branches Executive (enforces law) Legislative (writes law) Judicial (interprets law) State Governments Checks and Balances No one branch has more power over the others Sovereignty Each state is allowed to make their own decisions within the scope of federal law Federal law > state law Still argued about today, but it’s the truth. Majority All decisions require a majority of approval in all branches

Compromise Representation People who argue for and make laws for other people Legislative Branch Caused the most trouble for the Constitutional Convention

Compromise Smaller states Larger states Didn’t have a lot of money or resources. Most didn’t own slaves. Wanted equal representation “Equal is fair!” “I can’t help it my state is small and doesn’t have a lot of people…it doesn’t mean I should be ignored!” The New Jersey Plan Larger states Had a lot of money and resources. Most owned slaves. Wanted representation based upon state population. Big states have more power, small states have a little power. “we have more people, we need more power to help our bigger population sizes.” The Virginia Plan

Compromise Countless debates and SEVEN WEEKS LATER… The Great Compromise A Bicameral Congress House of Representatives – Based upon state population Slaves = 3/5 person “sigh…..” This too they argued about and compromised. Senate - Each state has 2 senators BOTH houses must pass every law.

Success! The rich, educated, white elites made a Constitution 55 Delegates ≠ 2,890,000 people They needed to send it to each state for ratification. Give formal consent Agreed that 9/13 agreements meant it was official. 1787 – 10/13 had agreed But they still needed the two biggest states, New York and Virginia…and it wouldn’t be easy.