MR. VERBUS HISTORY – SHADOW RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

The Constitutional Convention

The convention Begins

● In May of 1787 the state legislatures sent 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention

● Important Figures:● George Washington: Revolutionary War Hero● Benjamin Franklin: World Famous Scientist and

Diplomat● James Madison: “Father of the Constitution.”

Organization & Agreements

● George Washington Presiding

● A majority vote of all states represented would make decisions.

● No Public Presence or Press

● All delegates agreed to….● Abandon Articles of

Confederation● Strengthen National Gov. and

limit State Gov.● Legislative, Executive, &

Judicial Branches

The Virginia Plan

● Comprised of 15 resolutions written by Madison which included…● Strong National Legislature with 2 Chambers (Upper

&Lower)● Strong National Executive (chosen by legislature)● National Judiciary (chosen by legislature)

● Many modifications were made to the Virginia Plan but it would later become the basis for our Constitution.

The New Jersey Plan

● Smaller states wanted a less-powerful national gov.

● William Patterson of New Jersey proposed…● Unicameral legislature with one vote for each state● Gave congress power to impose taxes and regulate

trade● Weak Executive and Judiciary

● New Jersey Plan was Rejected.● Too similar to the failed Articles of Confederation

Hot Summer = Hot Tempers

● Large States vs. Small States in Representation

Connecticut Compromise

● Legislative Branch● House of Representatives – state representation based on

population.● Senate – 2 members from each state (initially elected by

state legislature)● Larger states had advantage in the House and smaller states

had advantage in the Senate, where representation was equal.

Three-Fifths Compromise

● 1/3 of Southern Population were slaves● Southern states wanted slaves counted for

Representation, but not for levying taxes.● 3/5 of the slave population would be counted

in representation and taxation.

Slave Trade

● Congress could not ban slave trade until 1808

● Congress regulates interstate commerce (trade between states), and foreign commerce.

● No taxes on exports – this helped the south

● Delegates knew that southerners would not agree to a constitution that interfered with slavery● Fugitive Slave Clause – runaway

slave had to be returned

Further Compromises

● How to elect Presidents?● Electoral College

● Presidential Terms?● 4 Year Terms

Ratification

● Federalists (city merchants) vs. Anti-Federalists (rural farmers and laborers)

● Anti-Federalists did not like the fact that there was no Bill of Rights in the Constitution● Federalists would later promise a Bill of Rights as the

first act of Congress● Federalist Papers – series of essays arguing

for the ratification of the Constitution● Hamilton, Madison, & Jay

Ratification

New Government

● Washington elected as First President● John Adams Vice President● First Meeting of Congress: March 4, 1789

● Federal Hall in New York City