Constitutional Convention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT7dMHAiCfs
Let the Convention Begin!
When?
May 25, 1787-Sept. 17, 1787
Where? Philadelphia, PA
Why? to re-write the (weak) Articles of
Confederation
Weather? hot, humid (w/ no
A.C. and infrequent bathing!)
What did they agree on?
1.
2.
Each state had one vote.
The Articles of Confederation were WEAK!
A few of the biggest problems were:
A.
B.
C.
There was no President (Executive Branch).
Congress couldn’t collect taxes.
The state governments had more power than
the federal government.
What did they agree on?
3. They were SO BAD, delegates wouldn’t even bother to rewrite the
Articles of Confederation. Instead, they would create something
totally new and different… and, hopefully, better.
4. The ideals of the Declaration of Independence would guide them.
5. They would keep all the windows and doors locked in order to
keep their discussions secret. They would remain secret for 30
years because…
A. they wanted delegates to be comfortable speaking freely &
honestly
B. They wanted the U.S. people to accept the new plan, but
they were afraid they might not if they knew the reps. had
argued so much.
6. The key word would be COMPROMISE, which means each side
GIVING UP some of what they want to GET some of what they
want. (As mama used to say, “You scratch my back, and I’ll
scratch yours!”)
So… Who showed up to the ‘PARTY’?
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There were 55 delegates. All states except Rhode
Island sent delegates. There were no women, slaves,
former slaves, free black men, Native Americans, or
even poor people who were invited to attend.
Every single one of the delegates was a
Free
White
Male
Property
Owner
Some of the most important delegates
were:
1.
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George Washington
(the chairman of the
Convention)
the most respected
man in the country
a war hero who led
the patriots to victory
Federalist
2. James Madison (the Father of the
Constitution)
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took great notes
FEDERALIST
3. Benjamin Franklin
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the oldest one there
(81)
the voice of wisdom &
experience
he encouraged
compromise
4. Alexander Hamilton
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one of the strongest,
most vocal federalists
future secretary of the
Treasury
Selected Washington
D.C. as nation’s capital
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=KaWBs46USqE
5. John Jay
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had negotiated the Treaty
of Paris
became the first Chief
Justice of the Supreme
Court
FEDERALIST
Oh yeah… one important guy
who was not there was
Thomas Jefferson. He was
hangin’ out in France.
John Adams was in England.
Compromise, Baby! That’s what it’s
about!
small STATES
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BIG STATES
VS.
WANTED: all states
would have same
number of reps no
matter size
WORRIED: large states
would rule
New Jersey Plan
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WANTED: number of
reps to be based on
population
WORRIED: small states
would have just as
much power
Virginia Plan
The Great Compromise
Congress would have 2 houses.
One would be based on population, satisfying the large
states. This house would be called the House of
Representatives.
The other would have the same number of reps. from each
state, no matter how large or small, thus satisfying the
small states. this house would be called the senate.
SENATE + HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES = CONGRESS
THE 3/5 COMPROMISE
What about SLAVES? Of course, people in the
South didn’t treat them like people, BUT they
wanted to count them as part of the
population so they would have more votes!
In the end, they were counted as 3/5 of a person
each.
Slave Trade Compromise
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After 20 years, the Triangular Slave Trade
was prohibited
No selling or purchasing slaves from Africa
ANTI-FEDERALISTS vs. FEDERALISTS
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ANTI-FEDERALISTS
opposed the constitution as it was written because
they feared…….
loss of states’ powers
loss of individual freedom
they wanted a bill of rights to list, ensure, and
protect their individual freedoms.
“this proposal…. is of a most alarming nature….. You
ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of
your liberty.” - Patrick Henry, anti-federalist
FEDERALISTS
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They insisted citizens rights were safe because….
1.
Each state had its own constitution with a Bill of
Rights.
2.
The house of representatives would be elected
directly by the people, and its members would be
sure to protect people’s rights.
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They argued their views in town meetings,
newspapers, pamphlets, and a famous collection
of 85 essays called the Federalist Papers. These
were written by people like James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
“I am persuaded that this plan is the best which our political
situation, habits, and opinions will admit, and superior to any
the revolution has produced.”
–Alexander Hamilton, Federalist
9 of 13 states were needed to RATIFY (approve) the
Constitution. In the end, it took our old friend, Compromise
to get it done. Anti-federalists agreed to ratify it if a Bill of
Rights was added.
“I like the organization of the government into branches… I will
now tell you what I do not like. First, there is no bill of
rights… a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to
against every government on Earth.”
-Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to James Madison
The constitution…….
What’s in a social contract?
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Written from May-September, it was finally
ratified on June 21, 1788, when nine states
gave their approval. Eventually, all 13 states
approved it, with the last state doing so in
1790. Guess who it was. yup, the old party
pooper, Rhode island. Thus, 13 independent
states became solid, union: THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA WOO HOO!!!
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The constitution is America’s social contract, and the
basic law of the United States. It doesn’t list every
single law we should follow, but it provides a
framework for all of the U.S. government to fit into.
No law can violate or go against it.
The framers agreed with Locke, Montesquieu,
Jefferson, and other great thinkers: the people of the
United States have the right and the power to
govern themselves. The government depends on
the people for its power, and it only exists to serve
and protect them. More importantly, if the
government stops protecting people’s rights, the
people should get rid of it. Remember, that was the
core idea of the Declaration of Independence, and
we still believe it today.
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THE PREAMBLE
Like most formal writing, the constitution begins
with an introduction, although it has kind of a funny
name. It’s called the Preamble and it states the
purposes and goal of the constitution. Here’s what it
says………
“We the people of the United States of America, in
order to form a perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to our selves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution
for the United States of America”
WHAT?!? Right…….. That’s alotta big words,
sooooo lets break it down on the next page.
SUMMARY
QUIZ TIME
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1. Which document would guide the
Framers as they wrote the Constitution?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
The Articles of Confederation
The Treaty of Paris
The Declaration of Independence
The Mayflower Compact
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2. What Compromise created a bicameral
legislature (2 Houses – Senate + House of
Representatives)?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
3/5 Compromise
Great Compromise
Slave Trade Compromise
Compromise of 1850
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3. T/F Antifederalists supported the
original drafting of the Constitution,
creating a stronger national government.
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4. T/F Federalists believed in a stronger
centralized government that run the
country from one spot instead of 13
separate capitals.
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5. What was added to the Constitution to
ensure people’s rights were protected?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
The Bill of Rights
The Ten Commandments
The Social Contract
The Federalist Papers