1. From the Convention to Ratification
The U.S. Constitution
From the Convention to Ratification

2. The Mount Vernon Meeting
Meeting called by George Washington 1785 to discuss trade
Maryland and Virginia attended
Led to a call for interstate meeting the following year

3. Annapolis Convention 1786
Convention called by Virginia to discuss regulation of commerce
5 states attended
Led to a call to meet in Philadelphia to discuss changes to the Articles
Independence Hall, Philadelphia 

4. The Philadelphia Convention
Called for the “express purpose of revising the Articles”
Decided to start over rather than revise
Closed all sessions to outsiders to allow freer expression

5. The Delegates Average age was 42 Most had studied law
Most had served in state government, or the federal Congress
They were well versed in Enlightenment political thought

6. Who WAS present? George Washington Presided over the convention
His reputation brought dignity and respect for the work produced

7. Who WAS present Benjamin Franklin
The oldest delegate to the convention
Brokered many of the compromises
What kind of government? “A republic, if you can keep it”

8. Who WAS present? Alexander Hamilton Strongly nationalistic
Put forward a draft plan that resembled British government

9. Who WAS present? James Madison “Father of the Constitution”
Kept daily notes of the proceedings
Co-sponsored the “Virginia Plan” or large state plan

10. Who WAS present? George Mason of Virginia
Author of Virginia’s Bill of Rights
Proposed creating a national Bill of Rights

11. Who was NOT present? Patrick Henry of Virginia
He chose not to attend because he “smelt a rat”
Feared strong national government at the expense of the states

12. Who was NOT present? Thomas Jefferson of Virginia
Was in France at the time serving as America’s minister to France

13. Who was NOT present? John Adams of Massachusetts
Was serving as minister to England at the time of the convention

14. Who was NOT present? Samuel Adams of Massachusetts
Worked in the state of Massachusetts on the state constitution
Initially opposed the Constitution, but came to support ratification

19. Divisions of Power Federal System: national vs. state
Delegated Powers: given to national govt.
Reserved Powers: reserved to state govt.
Concurrent Power: Both National and State
Limited Government: limited by Constitution

21. Painting by Howard Chandler Christy: “Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States”
It hangs in the House of Representatives side of the Capitol building
Washington is standing behind the desk
Richard Dobbs Spaight of North Carolina is signing the document (behind him and stepping up are the other two N.C. delegates)
Franklin is sitting in the front. To his right is Hamilton, to his left, Madison
The secretary of the convention raises four fingers (William Jackson) probably beckoning the South Carolina delegates to come and sign
The Painting was done about 150 years after the signing

22. Foresight of the Forefathers?
Convention made the Constitution flexible enough to adapt to the future
Elastic Clause
Amendment Process

23. Ratification Debate
The Constitution was submitted to the states to be ratified
Immediately, this escalated into a major debate over the Constitution
FEDERALISTS supported it
ANTI-FEDERALISTS opposed it

25. Federalists Included those that wanted a stronger central government
Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote a series of anonymous essays: The Federalist Papers

26. Anti-Federalists Opposed the constitution for a variety of reasons
No Bill of Rights
Fear of strong central/executive authority
Weakening of state governments