1. The Constitution is Written and Ratified
Pages 53-58

2. Delegates Eleven states sent delegates right away
New Hampshire was late sending delegates
Rhode Island did not participate - its politics were dominated by people opposed to strengthening the central government
74 delegates appointed, 55 attended
39 signed the final document
Well known figures of the Revolution were absent- Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson

3. Make up of delegates fairly young and well educated
ranged in age from 26 to 81
half had attended college
half were trained in law
most had considerable political experience
many had been officers in the Revolution

4. Organizing the Constitution
Quorum - enough to do business - majority - 7
George Washington was chosen as the leader
Each state got one vote
proposals could be passed by a majority of those present
all proceedings were to be kept secret
James Madison - Father of Constitution - had the most influence - kept best notes

5. Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph Strong central government
3 separate branches of gov’t-legislative, executive, judicial
two house legislature - representation based on pop. or money cont., lower house would be elected and then select the upper house
national leg. would have authority to cancel conflicting state laws and make the states comply with national laws
objection - favored the large states

6. New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson favored small states
1 house nat. leg. with representatives selected by the state leg. (Each one vote)
a plural executive selected by the national legislature
a supreme court appointed for life by the executive officers
rejected by large states after only 4 days

7. Great Compromise Resolved the question of representation
Members in lower house would be apportioned among the states by population and elected by the people
the upper house, each state would have an equal no. (2) which would be chosen by state legislatures
House was given sole power to begin money bills

8. 3/5ths Compromise
South wanted to count slaves for representation but not taxation
North wanted to count slaves for taxation but not representation
Agreed to count 3/5ths of all slaves for both taxation and representation
American Indians were not counted at all

9. Economic compromises
Congress was given the exclusive authority to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce
President was given power to negotiate treaties with foreign states
Southern interests:
1. The slave trade was not to be prohibited for 20 years
2. Congress could not impose duties on exports
3. Treaties must be approved by 2/3rds of the Senate

10. Final meeting
Through compromise, the delegates had basically agreed on the Constitution
Committee on style set about arranging and writing the final draft
After 4 months, the text of the Constitution was presented Sept. 12
Sept 17, 1787 the Constitution was signed by most of the states present (39)
3 men chose not to sign

11. Ratification Nine states had to ratify for it to go into effect
To be ratified by special conventions called for that purpose
Did not let leg. ratify because they were afraid that they would turn it down since it reduced their powers.

12. Federalists
Those who favored the creation of the new federal system of government
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Gov. Morris and James Madison
Argued a bill of rights was not necessary
Agreed to include a bill of rights to make other side happy

13. Antifederalists Opposed a strong federal government
Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee
Felt the framers had gone too far
Wanted a bill of rights added

14. Ratification Delaware became the first state to ratify
Constitution was officially ratified on June 21, 1788
Needed the support of Virginia and New York, the richest states
Virginia finally ratified after a passionate debate
New York ratified after Federalists papers were published

15. New Government New York City would be the temporary national capital
Elections were set for the first Congress
First Congress would meet March 1789
22 senators and 59 representatives
George Washington was chosen as first President
Bill of Rights was drafted
Within a year the final states had ratified and the Union was formed