1. Constitutional Convention 1787
Key attendees:
George Washington
James Madison
George Mason
Alexander Hamilton
Benjamin Franklin
James Wilson
Gouverneur Morris
Edmund Randolph
Roger Sherman
Elbridge Gerry
William Patterson
Not attending:
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Patrick Henry
John Hancock
Samuel Adams
Richard Henry Lee
Rhode Island

2. Philadelphia Convention
May 1787
55 delegates
Every state except RI
From propertied class
“without being rich all are in easy circumstances”
-Fr. diplomat
Nationalists  wanted to strengthen the central government
Elected George Washington as presiding officer
Met in “secret”

3. Virginia Plan Powerful national government
Supremacy of national authority
Rejected state sovereignty
National gov’t could veto state laws
National government would have direct authority over people
Citizens would elect the lower house of national legislature
Lower house representation based on population
Lower house would then name the members of the upper house
Both houses would then choose judiciary and executive
James Madison

4. New Jersey Plan National gov’t could
Raise revenue
Control commerce
Make binding requisitions on states
Executive, appointed by Congress, of several individuals
Judicial appointed by Executive
Each state had one vote in a unicameral legislature
States could control own laws
William Paterson

5. Debate and Near Collapse
After about two weeks of discussion
Supported NJ Plan
NJ, DE
1/2 of MD
2/3 of NY
VA Plan still basis of discussion
Key Questions:
How should representatives from each state be determined?
What powers should the national gov’t have?
Created committee to solve
One delegate from each state

6. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises
After deciding to scrap the Articles of Confederation, what to do?
“Large State Plan” vs. “Small State Plan”
“Great Compromise”

7. Political Negotiation
“Great Compromise”
Upper house  2 delegates from each state
Lower house  based on population
Federal Judicial System
States had own courts and feared losing this power
Convention left creation of system up to new national legislature
Voting was not restricted to just property owners
Upper house chosen by state legislatures
President elected by an electoral college
States and their legislatures had some power + the people had more direct power = acceptance of reduction of state sovereignty?

8. Compromises cont. Constitutional Convention adjourned on 9/17/1787
Slavery
3/5 Compromise
Slave trade would exist for at least 20 years
Separation of Powers
Federalism
States and national government
Branches of government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Electoral College
Constitutional Convention adjourned on 9/17/1787
-Constitution now had to be ratified by voters

9. for Constitution to replace Articles
Ratification
Process to ratify the new Constitution  Article VII
Voters
choose
delegates
State
convention
voted on
Constitution
9 states needed to pass
for Constitution to replace Articles

10. Ratification of the Constitution
Conducted in special conventions  nine states and it would go into effect
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
United States vs. States United
*Federalist Papers written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay
85 essays to gain support for republican political doctrine
Ex. Explained “checks and balances”, benefits of large republic
*Bill of Rights promised to be added later
MA, NY, VA
Met 9 state requirement in 1788

11. Controversy Over the Constitution
When the Constitution was printed in the newspapers people were shocked
Delegates created a NEW constitution
Framers set up procedure they thought gave the Constitution the best chance to be ratified
Voters
choose
delegates
State
convention
voted on
Constitution
9 states needed to pass
for Constitution to replace Articles
Bypassed state legislatures

12. Opposing Sides Federalists Antifederalists
Supporters of the Constitution
Liked balance of power between states and national gov’t
Separation of power would protect against tyranny
Antifederalists
Opposed the new Constitution
Lack of protection for individual rights

13. Opposing Sides cont. Both sides tried to gain popular support
The Federalist (Papers)
85 essays defending the Constitution
in NY
Letter from the Federal Farmer
Rights that needed more protection
Speech, press, religion, trial by jury, searches, etc.

14. Bill of Rights – Key to Ratification
Federalists promised to add a bill of rights if the Constitution was ratified