EOC Concept 3 The Constitution

Drafting the Constitution The Virginia legislature called for a meeting of all the states to be held at Annapolis, Maryland on September 11, The purpose was to discuss commercial problems, but everyone in attendance knew the weaknesses of the national government needed to be discussed. Among those in attendance were Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Problems to be solved: 1.Relationship between the states and the central government 2.Powers of the national legislature 3.Need for executive leadership 4.Establishment of policies for economic stability At this Annapolis meeting, a call was issued to all of the states for a general convention to meet in Philadelphia in May 1787 “to consider the exigencies of the union”.

The Republicans, those who favored a weak central government, approved of the convention and made it known that the convention was for the “sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation”. Those in favor of a stronger national government, the Federalists, had other ideas. The designated date for the opening of the convention at Philly, known as the Constitutional Convention, was May 14, Because few delegates had arrived on time it was formally opened in the East Room of the Pennsylvania State House on May of the 74 delegates chosen for the convention actually attended the convention. And of those 55, only 40 played active roles at the convention. Rhode Island was the only state that refused to send delegates.

Who were the delegates? Who were the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention? They did not represent a cross section of 18 th century American society. Most were members of the upper class were member of the legal profession 2.3 were physicians 3.50% were college graduates 4.7 were former chief executives of their respective states 5.6 were large plantation owners 6.8 were important businesspersons They were also considered young for today’s standards. Madison was 36, Hamilton was 32, Jonathon Dyton of New Jersey was 26. The average age was 42. Franklin, however, was 81.

The Working Environment The conditions under which the delegates worked for 115 days were far from ideal. What made things worse was the necessity of maintaining total secrecy. The framers thought that if public debate were started, delegates would have more difficulty compromising or reaching agreements. Consequently, the windows were shut and with summer approaching the air was often heavy, humid, and hot by noon of each day.

Factions among the Delegates James Madison kept a daily, detailed personal journal about the proceeding at the convention. A majority of the delegates were strong nationalists, they wanted a central government with real power (unlike the Articles of Confederation). Washington and Franklin preferred a limited national authority based on the separation of powers. Some were monarchists, such as Hamilton. Others were nationalists with a stripe for democracy. Those included Madison, Wilson. Most delegates from the New England area (MD, NH, CT, NJ, and DE) were only concerned about western land claims. As long as they became common property of all the states, they were willing to support a central government. Finally, there was a group of delegates that were totally against a national authority. They left the convention when they saw the direction of the proceedings.