The Constitutional The Constitutional Convention of 1787: Convention of 1787: A New GovernmentA New Government

A New A New GovernmentGovernment(Post War - 1787)(Post War - 1787)Articles of Confederation ... the First Constitution

Articles created a Confederation of States... a weak alliance of states. Reasons???

Problems with the Problems with the ConfederationConfederation

Congress had no authority to make taxes or tariffs = NO $$$

No National $$, only State $$ Very Little Army (700 men) No Supreme Court System Major Changes to Articles required all 13 states approval

Land Land ExpansionExpansionOrdinance of 1785Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Failure of the Confederation

Leading up to ConventionLeading up to ConventionShays’ Rebellion (1786)Shays’ Rebellion (1786)Failure of ArticlesFailure of ArticlesAnnapolis Convention Annapolis Convention (1786)(1786)

Philadelphia ConventionPhiladelphia Convention

Purpose Purpose (Extra-Legal)(Extra-Legal)

DelegatesDelegates Ben FranklinBen Franklin, , G. WashingtonG. Washington

NOT Present: T. Jefferson, NOT Present: T. Jefferson, J. Adams, P. Henry J. Adams, P. Henry

Preliminary DecisionsPreliminary DecisionsJames MadisonJames Madison......“Father”“Father”

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan

3 Branches3 BranchesBicameral LegislatureBicameral Legislature““Checks and Balances”Checks and Balances”

Problems for DiscussionProblems for DiscussionDemocracyDemocracyLARGELARGE v. v. smallsmall

StatesStatesSlaverySlaveryPower of PresidentPower of President

The The “New Jersey” “New Jersey” PlanPlanThe The “Great Compromise”“Great Compromise”The The “3/5-ths “3/5-ths Compromise”Compromise”

Debate over the Debate over the PresidentPresident

Judicial BranchJudicial BranchNational Supremacy ClauseNational Supremacy ClauseElastic Clause... Elastic Clause... “necessary “necessary

and proper”and proper”Bill of Rights...Bill of Rights...George George

Mason Mason (VA)(VA)

RatificationRatification ProcessProcess Federalists v. AntifederalistsFederalists v. Antifederalists

Feds- Feds- J. Madison, J. Madison, A. HamiltonA. HamiltonAntiFeds- AntiFeds- G. Mason, P. HenryG. Mason, P. Henry

““The Federalist” The Federalist” PapersPapers Votes (1788) and Bill of Rights Votes (1788) and Bill of Rights

(1791)(1791)

Independence Hall Independence Hall

Interpretations of FramersInterpretations of FramersGeorge BancroftGeorge BancroftCharles A. BeardCharles A. Beard

““An Economic An Economic Interpretation of the Interpretation of the American ConstitutionAmerican Constitution

United StatesUnited States

ConstitutionConstitution

A “Living” Document