1. Constitution

2. The Constitutional Convention
Philadelphia, PA 1787
”Framers” or “Founding Fathers”
55 delegates from 12 states
Well educated; lawyers, merchants, doctors, veterans
Originally met to revise AoC, but it was scrapped after debates over:
Slavery
Representation in Congress
Strength of national gov’t
39 signed

3. Compromises of the Constitutional Convention
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Created bicameral legislature
House of Reps and Senate
NJ, VA
538
Census every 10 years
3/5 Compromise
North v. South over whether slaves would be counted in Congress
3/5 slaves counted towards pop
South get more representation in Congress

4. Slave Trade Electoral College
Congress could regulate (control) trade between states and other countries
Electoral College
Citizens indirectly elect the POTUS
Electors from each state decide who wins Presidency
Protect the national government from bad leader
Keeping some power away from citizens

5. The Constitution Finished 1787 but had to be ratified by 9/13 states
Organization of the Constitution was influenced by the Enlightenment
Goal was to create a strong, central gov. PLUS give power to the states and people
5 principles of the Constitution
Popular sovereignty
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
Federalism
Limited government

6. Principles of the Constitution
Popular sovereignty
“rule by the people”
Created representative gov. that elected officials based on voters wants
Limited government
Gov cannot take advantage of the rights of people
Separation of powers
3 branch system
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Keeps 1 branch from becoming more powerful

7. Checks and balances Federalism
Each branch has the power to “check” or limit the power of the others
Congress makes laws, but POTUS can veto
Federalism
Division of Power between states and fed gov

11. Approval 9/13 states had to ratify Anti-federalists v. federalists
Each state held its own convention to vote
Anti-federalists v. federalists
Fed supported strong, central gov, with no Bill of Rights
Merchants, city
Anti-Federalists felt new Constitution gave too much power to federal gov
Needed to guarantee rights and freedoms
Farmers
Many refused to sign
Added the Bill of Rights
Last Compromise
Went into effect in 789

12. Federalist Papers Fear that anti-fed would halt ratification
Released 85 essays
“The Federalist Papers”
Written by James Madison , John Jay, Alexander Hamilton
Explained why Constitution was needed and how it worked