Mrs. UrschlerAmerican

GovernmentNOTES

Creating and Ratifying the Constitution

The Philadelphia or “Constitutional” Convention

I. Setting the Scene Where: When: What it was like:

II. The “Framers” What is a Framer? A new group of leaders…

III. Organization and Procedure Day 1- Elect President Day 2- Establish Rules Day 3+- Decide on their purpose… a

momentous decision!!!

A.Serious differences and debates at the

Constitutional Convention…

Plan or Compromise

What it said? Who benefitted from it?

Virginia Plan Wanted representation in the legislature based on population. More people = more representatives… VA thinks this is more democratic!

LARGE STATES

New Jersey Plan

Wanted representation in the legislature to be equal for all states. Thought this was fair because the needs of larger states would not ALWAYS outweigh the small states.

SMALL STATES

Connecticut Compromise

Called for a bicameral legislature that consisted of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Representation, in the House, would be based on POPULATION and, in the Senate, EQUALITY.

Both LARGE AND SMALL

Three-Fifths Compromise

Every three out of five slaves would count toward the state population, which would be used to determine a states representation in the House. Slave owners would pay an additional tax on slaves.

ALL STATES

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

There would be no taxes on exported goods.Congress would not touch the issue of slavery for 20 years.

Particularly Southern States

B. Ratification of the Constitution

1. RATIFICATION means approval (to ratify means to approve)

2. Two groups debate…a) Federalists- supported ratification of the Constitution

Three prominent Federalists (John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, & James Madison) write a series of essays to promote their cause. They become known collectively as The Federalist Papers.

b) Anti-Federalists- opposed ratification of the Constitution. Two major arguments:

I. Believed the central government, as proposed in the new document, was too strong!

II. Thought the Constitution should include a declaration of rights! (to protect citizens from the government)

Outcome The Constitution is ratified in 1788… some

say this is done illegally! George Washington is unanimously

elected President of the United States… begins his term in office in 1789.

Washington creates many precedents: Cabinet 2 term limit Uses the title “Mr. President”