The Constitutional Convention

Recapping weaknesses & results of Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention (1787) May - September delegates from 12 states No Rhode Island Philadelphia, PA Their object was to fix the Articles

Who attended Mostly well educated, land-owning males George Washington was coaxed out of retirement to serve as president of convention Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate at 81 Noticeably absent were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Patrick Henry Adams and Jefferson were serving as ambassadors in Europe

Newcomers Alexander Hamilton – NY 32 yrs. Old Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of Staff to Washington during the Revolutionary War Gouverneur Morris – PA 35 yrs. Old Wooden leg ½ brother of Lewis Morris Wrote large sections of Constitution including the preamble Alexander Hamilton Gouverneur Morris

James Madison “Father of the Constitution” 36 year old delegate from VA Great friends with Jefferson Bought and studied over 200 books about gov/history in preparation for the convention Took great notes Instrumental in debate Advocated Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances

Virginia Plan– Edmund Randolph Mostly written by Madison Framework for a new constitution Divided Government into 3 branches Bicameral legislature - two houses Representation was to be based on the population of each state  Favorable to large states

New Jersey Plan– William Patterson Unicameral legislature One house Each state should be equally represented regardless of population Favorable to small states

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) Offered by Roger Sherman First suggested by Ben Franklin Created a bicameral legislature The first chamber of Congress would be apportioned according to it’s population (House). In the second chamber, each state would have equal representation (Senate).

Three-fifths Compromise Fundamental difference lies between slave and non-slave states Over 90 percent of the slaves lived in five states (Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) Southern states wanted to count slaves in their population for representation, Northern states disagreed Compromise result: five slaves would be counted as three persons. Supported by slave states to increase representation Supported by non-slave states to increase southern tax requirements Left slavery question unresolved until Civil War Agreed to put off the question for 20 years (1808)

Bill of Rights Some delegates argued emphatically for a Bill of Rights George Mason Protected rights of the people Others felt that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary People’s rights were protected through separation of powers, elections, etc. It would cause more arguments on which rights to include, which to omit, etc.  Convention was already dragging on long enough No Bill of Rights included in final draft George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph refused to sign Statue outside George Mason University

Constitution signed 39 of 42 remaining delegated signed the completed document September 17 th, abstained for lack of bill of rights Constitution was then sent to states to be ratified

Signing of the Constitution

Ratification Once signed by the delegates in Philadelphia, the Constitution had to be sent to each state’s legislature (congress) for ratification (approval) 9 of 13 states had to ratify for Constitution to go into effect Nation became split over support or opposition to the new Constitution First two political parties  Federalists – supported Constitution, favored strong central government Madison, Hamilton, Washington, John Adams  Antifederalists – opposed Constitution, favored strong State governments Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Mason Some like New York and Virginia were hesitant to ratify Lack of Bill of Rights More powerful central government

The Federalist Papers Series of essays written in support of the Constitution Convincing arguments and reasoning for a strong federal government 85 in all First published in newspapers then in book form Bulk was written by Alexander Hamilton – 50  James Madison – 30  John Jay -5

Constitution Ratified 9 states required to ratify for Constitution to take effect New Hampshire became 9 th state to ratify in June 1788 Virginia, Massachusetts, and others ratify document after being promised a Bill of Rights once the new government is in place Ratified by all states in May 1790

Bill of Rights As promised, a Bill of Rights was submitted in 1789 during the First Congress Written by James Madison  largely based on Virginia’s Declaration of Rights written by George Mason 12 amendments were submitted, only 10 were eventually ratified by the states The bill of rights limits the power of the government and protects individual freedoms of United States citizens George Mason is known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights” Unflinching insistence on their existence Influenced Madison’s draft

Bill of Rights Ratified 10 amendments (changes) were ratified on December 15, /3 of both houses ¾ of states Known as the Bill of Rights