Chapter 8, Section 2

 In September 1786, delegates from five states met in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss ways of amending the Articles of Confederation.  The national government had been granted very little power.  Alexander Hamilton called for a convention in Philadelphia the following May.

 Convention opened on May 25 th,  First order of business was to nominate a president for the convention. Every delegate voted for the hero of the Revolution, George Washington.  Pressured by politics of the day, the discussions at the convention remained secret. Much of what we know today come from the detailed notes of the proceedings kept by James Madison.

 55 delegates from every state except Rhode Island.  Many delegates were members of their state legislatures.  Became known as the Founders, or Founding Fathers, of the United States.

 Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were overseas at their diplomatic posts.  They wrote home to encourage the delegates.  Patrick Henry, a delegate elected from Virginia, refused to go. He “smelled a rat… tending toward monarchy.”  Others missing from the convention: 1. Native Americans 2. African Americans 3. Women

 States disagreed over what type of government to create.  Two Plans emerged: 1. Virginia Plan- Drawn up James Madison and Edmund Randolph of Virginia. 2. New Jersey Plan- Drawn up by William Paterson of New Jersey.

 Proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut.  2 house legislature: House of Representatives = based on state population. Senate = each state - 2 senators.  July 16, 1787 – the Great Compromise was approved.

 As the House of Representatives was based on each states population, the Southern states wanted slaves to be counted.  Northern states disagreed; since slaves could not vote, they should not be counted.

 Delegates reached an agreement regarding slaves.  3/5 of he slave population would be counted for: 1. Representation in the legislature. 2. Taxation.  In other words, a slave counted as 3/5 of a person.

 Northern states – slavery should be illegal!  Southern states – our economies depend on slavery!  Northerners agreed that Congress would not outlaw the slave trade for at least 20 years.  After that, Congress could regulate the slave trade if it wished.

 September 17, 1787 – Constitution was completed.  39 of the 42 delegates signed (3 delegates refused to sign; they felt the Constitution gave too much power to the national government).  9 of 13 states had to approve (ratify) the Constitution for it to go into effect.