1. The Constitutional Convention

2. What it was A meeting in Philadelphia, US capital, with the purpose of
Amending/fixing the problems associated w/the Articles of Confederation
Such as
No Executive to enforce laws-Shay’s Rebellion
No power to tax
No Judicial branch
No power of interstate trade
No law forbidding states from coining $$$

3. Where, When, Who Philadelphia- May-September 1787
55 delegates from 12 states
Wealthy white males
George Washington was president of the secret meetings

4. Attendees

5. Absent

6. Too Many Problems
The Delegates at the Convention decided there were too many problems with the Articles and decided to
Create an entirely NEW CONSTITUTION
Eliminating the Articles of Confederation
Now they would need to compromise in many areas

7. Problems and Compromises
The Large and small states fought over REPRESENTATION in Congress-
The more representatives in Congress the more power a state would have-VA vs. NJ Plans
The Great Compromise-solved the representation debate
A Bi-cameral legislature was created
House of Representatives-based on population
Senate-two for each state
Sometimes known as
Connecticut Compromise

8. Problems and Compromises
Slavery was also a major problem
Southern states wanted slaves counted for representation
Not for taxes
Northern states opposed this view
For every 5 slaves a state had 3 counted for representation and taxation
3/5 Compromise
New slaves were not to be imported after 1808-not an end to slavery

9. Problems and Compromises
Under the Articles trade was controlled by the states
Northern states wanted national government to have this power
Southern states feared a loss of $$ through new export taxes-cotton
Control of interstate trade went to National government
Import taxes (tariffs) but no export taxes
Commerce Compromise

10. Problems and Compromises
Delegates argued over election of a president
Elected directly by the people or
Elected by the state legislatures
They decided to
Indirectly elect the president with a
Group of electors known as
The Electoral College

11. Problems and Compromises
Debt from the revolution was another issue that needed to be dealt with
Southern states had paid theirs
Northern states still owed millions to other nations
Southern states agreed to pay off the debt as a nation if
The new nations capital was placed in the south
This issue and compromise was known as Assumption

12. A New Plan of Government
By September 1787 the meeting was done
The delegates had created a brand new constitution
The Constitution of The United States of America
It now needed to be ratified/approved by
9 of 13 states

13. The Fight for Ratification Federalists vs. Anti-federalists
Favored ratifying
Saw no need to add/change the new plan
Organized supporters to write essays telling why new plan should be ratified-
The Federalist Papers
GEORGE WASHINGTON FAVORED RATIFICATION
Feared the new constitution would result in
A loss of personal and state rights
Demanded a Bill of Rights be added
To guarantee civil liberties/rights

15. The Fight for Ratification Federalists vs. Anti-federalists
Promised to add a Bill of Rights in return wanted
Guarantee Constitution would be ratified
Agreed to ratification with addition of
Bill of Rights 10 total 1791
This became the final compromise
The Constitution is known as a
Bundle of Compromises

17. Articles vs. Constitution
No power to tax
No Executive
No Judicial Branch
No control over trade between the states
States could coin $$$
State governments most power
National gov’t taxes
President to enforce laws
Supreme Court to interpret laws
Controls interstate commerce/trade
Only the national gov’t can coin $$$
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SUPREME TO STATES