Transcript Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists vs. AntiFederalists
Thomas Jefferson
Anti-Federalist
Alexander Hamilton
Federalist
February, 1787
• Congress of the Confederation called on
all 13 states to send delegates to a federal
convention.
• The purpose of the convention was to
revise the Articles of Confederation
Delegates
• A person who is authorized to act as a
representative for others
Who were some of the
delegates?
George Washington
• Had retired to Mt. Vernon estate at the end
of the Revolutionary War
• Age 55…still one of the best known and
most respected men in America.
• Over six feet tall and weighed 210 pounds
• He served as President of the convention
but did not often participate in the debate.
Benjamin Franklin
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Age 81
Senior statesman of the convention
Writer, scientist, inventor and diplomat
Missed some of the sessions due to
health.
• Known as a conciliator during the debates.
Conciliator- A person who settles disputes or
restores friendships.
James Madison
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Known as Father of the Constitution.
Floor leader of the Convention.
Very well educated.
Took detailed notes.
Spoke very softly.
36 years old at the time…only 5’4”
Alexander Hamilton
• Brilliant Lawyer and influential in New York
politics.
• 32 years old…had served as
Washington’s secretary during the
Revolutionary War.
• Wanted a strong national government.
• Thought we should have one President
chosen for life.
What were the delegates like as
a whole?
• Average age was 43.
• ½ were lawyers
• Many were politicians, merchants,
plantation owners, doctors, college
presidents and college professors.
Who was not there?
• Patrick Henry refused to participate
because he "smelt a rat in Philadelphia,
tending toward the monarchy.
• Thomas Jefferson was serving as Minister
to France.
• John Adams was serving as Minister to
England
• John Hancock and Samuel Adams were
busy with local and business...Adams not
selected to continue as a delegate. They
did not expect a new Constitution.
Groups not represented
• Women- Abigail Adams wrote
“I desire you would remember the ladies,
and be more generous to them than your
ancestors.”
• Free Africans and Native Americans
lacked political rights.
• White males without property lacked rights
as well.
Rhode Island
Chose to boycott the convention as they felt
it would take state’s rights away.
Boycott- to avoid using, buying or dealing
with as a means of protest.
Opening of the Convention
Quorum- The minimum number of members
who must be present for the valid
transaction of business. (May 25, 1787)
9 states
George Washington
• George Washington was unanimously
elected president of the convention.
Some numbers
• Framers met 89 of the 116 days from May
25-September 17th.
• An average of 40 of the 55 delegates
attended daily sessions.
• Decided that all debate would be in secret.
By May 30th
• In just five days into the convention, it was
decided that rather than revise the Articles
of Confederation, the delegates would
write a completely new Constitution.
Two sides emerge
Federalists- Led by James Madison and
Alexander Hamilton. These framers were
pro-constitution and believed that a more
powerful central government was needed.
Anti-Federalists- Led by Patrick Henry, John
Hancock and Samuel Adams. Felt too much
power was given to the central government
and not enough to the states.
The Virginia Plan
• 3 Branches
• Bicameral legislature with each house
representation based either upon the
state’s population or how much money it
gave in support of the central government.
• Gave strong power to the central
government including the power to enforce
decisions.
The New Jersey Plan
• Smaller state’s response to the Virginia
Plan
• Called for a Unicameral, one house,
government with all states represented
equally.
• Called for a weak central government that
was based upon the state’s determining
the fate of the central government.
Politics: The Art of Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise- Congress would
be composed of 2 houses. The smaller of the two,
The Senate, where the states would be
represented equally. The larger, The House of
Representatives, would be based upon a state’s
population.
The Three-Fifths Compromise- Southerners
wanted slaves counted in the population, Northerners did
not. They settled on slaves being counted as 3/5 a person.
A new national government
• The framers quickly determined it would be best to
establish a new national government that would consist
of a supreme Legislative, Executive and Judicial
branches.
Politics: The Art of Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise- Congress would
be composed of 2 houses. The smaller of the two,
The Senate, where the states would be
represented equally. The larger, The House of
Representatives, would be based upon a state’s
population.
The Three-Fifths Compromise- Southerners
wanted slaves counted in the population, Northerners did
not. They settled on slaves being counted as 3/5 a person.
The Federalist Papers
85 essays written by
Alexander Hamilton,
James Madison and
John Jay. Set out
arguments for the new
Constitution in an effort
to get the New York
legislature to ratify it.
One of the most
important literary
works in US history.
Ratification of the Constitution
• The Constitution was approved by the
delegates on September 17, 1787. It was
sent to the states for ratification on
September 28, 1787.
Inauguration of the New
Government
• The new Congress convened on March 4,
1789.
• It would meet to count electoral votes that
would determine the first President of the
United States.
• On April 6, by unanimous vote, George
Washington is elected our first President.