1. Writing the Constitution

2. Push for Change
The Virginia Legislature called for a national conference to talk about improving the Articles of Confederation.
This took place in Annapolis, Maryland. Only 5 states sent delegates.
The delegates called on all 13 states to send delegates to a Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia.

3. The Constitutional Convention
Planned to discuss ways to improve the Articles
Held in Philadelphia’s State House, now called Independence Hall.
Twelve states sent a total of 55 delegates. Only Rhode Island refused to send delegates

4. Individuals at the Convention
George Washington was elected president of the convention, James Madison took notes, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were serving overseas as ambassadors.
Patrick Henry chose not to attend because he was against the meeting even taking place.

5. The Great Compromise The Virginia Plan (large state plan)
Presented by Edmund Randolph of Virginia; written mostly by James Madison.
A new federal constitution giving sovereignty to the central government
National government divided into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
Legislative branch would be bicameral (two-houses)
Representatives chosen based on state populations, giving more representatives to larger states and making them more powerful.

6. The Great Compromise The New Jersey Plan (small state plan)
Presented by William Patterson
Keep Congress the same, unicameral (one house)
Each state would have an equal number of votes
Congress’s laws the supreme law of the land
Central government: tax and regulate commerce

7. The Great Compromise
A committee is formed to settle the month long debate.
They proposed that each side give up some of their demands THE GREAT COMPROMISE
TERMS:
Every state has equal representation in the upper house, Senate
State population would determine the number of representatives in the lower house, House of Representatives

8. CONGRESS SENATE=equal representation (2 senators per state)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES=representation based on population
(435 representatives in the US)

9. The Three-Fifths Compromise
The debate over representation also involved slaves…should they count towards population to get more representatives in the House of Representatives?
Southerners say YES!
Northerners say NO! They only wanted slaveholders to pay taxes for their slaves.
They compromised and decided to count only 3/5’s of the slaves as a part of population.

10. Balancing Powers Some convention delegates wanted:
a stronger national government but also wanted to protect popular sovereignty (peoples power)
balance power between the states and national government, federalism
We have three branches in the federal government so that one branch doesn’t become too powerful (checks and balances)
Their powers are separate and equal
They also check on the other two branches

11. Anti-federalist Opposed the Constitution
Some thought the Constitutional Convention had gone too far when creating a new government
Some thought it gave too much power to the central government
For some, the main problem was it did not include a bill of rights (George Mason)
Many were small farmers, debtors, wealthy, American Revolution heroes like Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry

12. Federalist Favored the Constitution
Believed it offered a good balance of power
Compromise between different political views
Included: James Madison (Father of the Constitution), George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

13. The Federalist Papers
Series of essays (85) written under the name Publius, by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison , and John Jay
Said the new federal government would not overpower the states and would fix the Articles problems.
Widely read and influenced the debate over the Constitution.

14. Ratification Constitution needed 9 of 13 states to be approved.
Delaware became the first to ratify in Dec 1787
In June of 1788, New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the Constitution
New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Virginia were still debating.
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify.

15. Bill of Rights
Several states ratified only after they were promised a bill of rights would be added.
Antifederalists were worried their individual freedoms would not be protected without a bill of rights.
Some Federalists said the nation did not need a bill of rights since state constitutions promised these rights.
Madison urged Congress to add a bill of rights as amendments

16. Amending the Constitution
Needed to reflect the will of the people
Difficult process
Proposed amendments must be approved by 2/3 majority of both houses in Congress
Ratified by ¾ of the states before taking effect.