Constitutional Convention - Marquette University High School
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Transcript Constitutional Convention - Marquette University High School
Development of the
Constitution
Something Must Be Done
AOC stink
Annapolis Convention – 1786
Originally meant to discuss
trade regulations
Only five states show up
Representatives agree – Must
discuss strengthening the
government
Idea is popular among states
Background - The Constitutional
Convention of 1787
Met in Philly
Examine and recommend changes to the
existing Articles of Confederation
May – Sept 1787
Composition – Who was there?
Wealthy upper class,
white men
Selected by state
legislatures, not
popular vote
Notable names not
present
George Washington
Ben Franklin
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
Roger Sherman
John Adams (minister
to England)
Thomas Jefferson
(minister to France)
Regardless, there was a
ton of political talent at
this convention
Virginia Delegation
Led by James Madison
Had every intention of
creating a new
constitution
This is Virginia’s mission in
Philadelphia
Virginia Plan
crafted by Madison
presented by Edmund
Randolph
Initial Decisions - The
Constitutional Convention of 1787
Presiding officer – George Washington –
Why?
_____________________________
_____________________________
Every state - one vote
Proceedings held in secret
Concerned newspapers would
criticize decisions
Not democratic
The delegates want a government that
was …
Firm, dignified, respected at home
and abroad
Strong against instability at home
From the start, decided the A of C were
too flawed
Virginians set the tone - introduced
Virginia Plan
They weren’t authorized to change
AOC, but they did it anyway
Two Plans
Virginia Plan
Presented by Edmund Randolph – Gov from Virginia
Three branches – legislature strongest
Bicameral house
50% required to pass legislation
Strong federal government
Could veto state laws
Smaller states object since they would have no
influence
New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson – delegate
Presented as a series of amendments to the AOC
Unicameral house
Would create an executive, a judiciary, federal
taxes, federal regulation of trade
But would require a unanimous vote to pass these
taxes, trade regs
Larger states rejected since smaller states would
have equal power
Centrist View
The Virginia Plan became seen as a
centrist plan because
NJ Plan was a glorified A of C
Alexander Hamilton introduced the idea of a
constitutional monarchy
Far more conservative than the Virginia Plan
This was calculated to help Va. Plan
Connecticut Compromise
(Great Compromise)
Roger Sherman is the architect for this plan
Have a Legislature where the lower house was
popularly elected
assigned delegates based on population
House of Representatives
The Upper house would have equal reps from
each state
The Senate
Elected by state legislatures
Only need 50% of the vote to pass legislation
Model for our legislature
Federalist/Anti-Federalist
Compromises
Independent v. Congressionally controlled judiciary
Executive Branch – Art. 2 – Series of compromises
Should there be an Executive Branch? How many executives?
Control foreign policy, but Senate had to approve all diplomats
and treaties
President is C-in-C, but only congress can declare war
Would there be a popular vote? - No way
The people are dummies
Birth of electoral college
Slavery – Compromises
The framers built slavery into the fabric of our government
However, they are careful to never use the term “slavery” in the
Constitution.
1.
2.
3/5 Compromise
Slave Trade and Commerce Clause
These items would pose big problems for those trying to remove
slavery in the future.
Differences Between Articles and
Constitution…
Passing Legislation
Constitution – simple majority – easier to get things done
A of C – two-thirds
Executive
Constitution – a single President – not a lot of power at first (would get
stronger)
A of C – No executive
Power of the Federal Government
Constitution – potentially strong
A of C – very weak
Amendment process
Constitution – 2/3 of both houses of Congress + ¾ of State
conventions
A of C – virtually impossible - need a unanimous vote
Constitution
The Constitution is a less democratic document
Takes power away from common voters
More aristocratic
Creates a stronger federal government – this is a danger in the eyes of
many
Ratification Process
If two-thirds of the states ratify, the Constitution would go into effect
Every state had to go through a ratification process, hold a convention, and
elect delegates to the convention
This sets up two groups: the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists
Federalists –vs- Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Opposed Constitution
More democratic
States rights
Wanted strong local government, not fed government
Small farmers, small business people, artisans.
Felt they didn’t need a strong government to protect their interests
Less funded, less educated, less organized
Federalists
Supported Constitution
Most of the distinguished people in the country
George Washington, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
Well-funded, well-organized, politically experienced
Wanted a strong federal government
Wanted a strong executive
Wanted a government that was respected abroad and at home
put down insurrections
Act decisively – even if done by sacrificing some rights
Ratification
Constitution was drafted and signed by 39 delegates on Sept 17, 1787
Some states were very pro-constitution and they ratified easily. Dec 1787-Jan 1788
Delaware
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Georgia
Connecticut
Other states followed between Feb – Jun in 1788
Massachusetts
Maryland
S Carolina
New Hampshire
Final group of four
NY
N Carolina
Rhode Island
Virginia
Why was 9 of 13 states, as Article VII stated was required, insufficient?
Federalist Papers
85 pamphlets & essays supporting the
Constitution
Cited in Constitutional interpretation
debates
Written by Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison, & John Jay
Lens into the ideas of the founding fathers
Large government would provide
stability and security
Federalist #10 – How to create a strong
government while preserving freedom
Federalist #51 – Separation of powers and
checks and balances
Bill of Rights
Anti-federalists refused to sign the Constitution
Anti-federalists tried to influence state ratification
processes by writing pamphlets and newspaper articles
Did not protect the people against the central government
Needed a statement of individual freedoms
Required to prevent the country from falling into tyranny
They would often take on pseudonyms of the Roman Republic,
like Brutus
Some argued that the federal government would degenerate
into a tyrannical entity
Federal Bill of Rights - #1 priority of the new Congress