the constitutional convention. the place philadelphia, pa old statehouse (known today as...
TRANSCRIPT
TheConstitutional Convention
The Place
• Philadelphia, PA
• Old Statehouse (known today as Independence Hall)
• Same place was used for Declaration of Independence.
• Began on May 25, 1787
The Old Statehouse
now known as
Independence Hall
The Delegates
• 74 delegates from 12 states
• Only 55 attended.
• Rhode Island did not participate.
Organization
• George Washington was elected President of the convention.
• Each state had one vote.• Simple majority ruled (7 of 13).• Quorum of 7 needed to do business.• Meetings kept secret/confidential to
allow free discussion.
The Rising Sun Chair
"I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun."
Benjamin Franklin
1787
The Rising Sun Chair
Key Agreements
• Limited government• Separation of powers• End states creating their own money• States could not interfere with
creditors’ rights• Stronger national government
The Major Plans
• Strong Congress – Lower chamber elected by people– Upper chamber elected by lower chamber
• President chosen by Congress• Judiciary appointed by Congress
Problem!!!
Big states would be in
control.
The Major Plans
!!!
• Keep basics of Articles of Confederation• Unicameral Congress
– One vote for each state– Given power to tax and regulate trade
• Weak Presidential committee appointed by Congress
• Judiciary appointed by President
The Major Plans
Problem!!!
Retained many of the problems of the
failed Articles of Confederation.
National government would remain
weak.
The Major Plans
!!!
The Compromises
• The Connecticut Compromise
• The 3/5’s Compromise
• Compromise on Commerce and the Slave Trade
The Connecticut Compromise
• Bicameral Congress– House of Reps. based on population and
elected by people– Senate – 2 members from each state elected
by state legislatures
• All taxing and spending laws would start in House of Reps.
3/5 Compromise
How to count slaves for
representation and taxation.
All slaves counted as 3/5 of a
person for both representation
and taxes.
Compromise on Commerceand the Slave Trade
• Congress given the power to regulate both interstate commerce and foreign commerce.
• Congress forbidden to impose export taxes.
• Congress could not ban slave trade until 1808 (20 years).
Other Compromises
• How to elect the President? (Electoral College)
• How long for President’s term?
• Many other minor compromises
Ratification
• Process began September 1787
• Constitution went into effect June 1788 after 9 states ratified it.
• Rhode Island finally approved it May 1790.
Federalists
• Supported ratification of Constitution.
• Wanted strong federal government.• Mostly from cities and eastern
coastal regions• Merchants, etc., involved in trade• Wanted improved commerce
Federalists
• Biggest arguments for ratification:– Avoid anarchy
– Protect the nation
– Solve problems in trade and commerce
Anti-Federalists
• Opposed ratification
• Feared strong central government
• Mostly inland farmers and laborers
• Biggest arguments against Constitution:– Meeting was in secret– Was extralegal (didn’t do what they were
supposed to do) (they were supposed to improve the Articles of Confederation)
– It did not include a Bill of Rights
Anti-Federalists