The Constitution of the United States We the People of the United States

Why the new Constitution The Articles of Confederation – our first constitution as a free nation The Articles were RATIFIED in 1781 Ratified = approved Proved to be a very weak constitution – lacked a strong central gov’t How could they improve it

The Constitutional Convention A convention was called together on May 25, 1787 Philadelphia Convention = a meeting Would later become known as The Constitutional Convention Delegates initially met to try and correct the weaknesses of the A.O.C, but realized they just needed a new constitution Began writing a new stronger gov’t States still keep their powers, but we also add a stronger Central Government = Federal Framers or Founding Fathers – creators of the Constitution Delegates – representatives from a state – 55 delegates George Washington was chosen to head the Convention

How would the new government be set up? Debates began on how the new government would be set up 1 st agreement – three separate branches of government The new Constitution would describe the role & duties of the U.S. National/Federal Government (not the state gov’t) How would we organize the three branches of Federal government? Largest debate was over how the U.S. Legislative Branch

Compromising THE VIRGINIA PLAN Written mostly by James Madison Wanted the legislative branch to get members based on the State’s population Favored large populated states THE NEW JERSEY PLAN Written mostly by William Patterson Thought VA plan was unfair for small populated states Wanted an equally represented legislative branch – favored small populated states

THE GREAT COMPROMISE The major difference in both plans was representation in Congress Connecticut offered a compromise that combined BOTH plans into ONE –called either “The Connecticut Compromise” or “The Great Compromise” Here’s what the new Congress would look like Legislature = bicameral: Bicameral = TWO houses (1. House of Representatives 2. Senate) Equal # of reps in the Senate # of reps in the House of Representatives based on population The other branches were easier to work out

A SERIES OF COMPROMISES Other compromises If the HOR is based on population – would we count slaves Census = population count every 10yrs to decide THE 3/5 Compromise – agreement that the South could count a slave as 3/5 of a person

A SERIES OF COMPROMISES What about slavery? SLAVE TRADE and Commerce Compromise– North wanted to ban New Slave Trade and Tax exports South said no They agree to NOT interfere with either for 20yrs Meaning they ignore it 2 part compromise Commerce = Trade – will not tax trade for 20yrs Slave Trade – will not interfere with ST for 20yrs

Creating the Constitution James Madison = most influential “The Father of the Constitution” He pushed hard for the approval of the new Constitution After several months the delegates agreed on the U.S. Constitution September 17, 1787 Still had to get approved by the states

The Constitution Ratify – 9 out of 13 states needed to ratify and they really wanted the powerful states like New York and Virginia Federalist v. Anti – Federalist Federalist = for ratification Anti- Federalist = against ratification

Federalist v. Anti- Federalist Federalist James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Supported ratification Three Federalist promoted it in the news paper “The Federalist Paper” a series of essays printed in NY favoring ratification – James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton Anti –Federalist Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, Samuel Adams Against ratification b/c there was not a Bill of Rights or any mention of God *** Thomas Jefferson was in France, and was unaware of the Constitution, but many say had he been here, the Constitution would not have been ratified!!! He hated the idea of a Strong Central Government

RATIFIED! 9 states were quick to ratify by 1788 – eventually all 13 approve The Delegates agreed to make appointments to official offices the next year April 6, 1789 George Washington is chosen as first President and John Adams VP!

How the Constitution is Set- Up Three parts 1. The Preamble = introduction 2. Articles I – VII = (chapters) How the government will operate 3. Amendments 1-27 = Changes or additions to the Constitution