The Constitutional Convention

1. The Constitutional Convention May 14 to September 17, 1787 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2. Question: respond in Composition Notebook Why is political compromise necessary to the functioning of government or can one doggedly maintain their ideology without compromise? Take 3 minutes and discuss with your shoulder partner. Read Compromise and the Constitution

3. Key People • George Washington presides over the Convention: His prestige crucial • James Madison introduces his Virginia Plan calling for strong national government • Alexander Hamilton, strong nationalist • Ben Franklin • 55 Delegates in all

4. Nationalists Key People Washington, Madison, Hamilton and John Jay They see the need for a strong national government if the nation is to survive. Called Federalists but that term misses the nuances of Nationalist. They can think in terms beyond their state.

5. Kept detailed notes Most prepared “Father of the Constitution” James Madison

7. Absentees • Rhode Island sent no delegates • John Adams was in England • Thomas Jefferson is in France • Patrick Henry absent; "smelt a rat in Philadelphia, tending toward the monarchy." • Also absent were John Hancock and Samuel Adams

8. Small States V. Large States Small states wanted all states to have the same number of representatives to Congress Large states wanted representation to be determined by the population of the state. What are the strengths and weaknesses of both positions? The Great (Connecticut) Compromise: The Constitution creates a bicameral legislature. In the House of Representatives, representation is determined by population. In the Senate, all states have the same number of representatives: two. Key Compromises: Representation

9. Southern States V. Northern States Southern States wanted slaves to count as part of the population for determining representation but not to count when apportioning taxes. Northern states wanted slaves to count for the purpose of taxation but not for representation The 3/5ths Compromise: Delegates agreed to count slaves as 3/5ths of a person when apportioning representation and taxation Slaves counted 40% Southern pop. Question: How does this give the South an advantage? Key Compromise: Slave Count

10. Southern Plantation Owners V. Northern Businessmen Southerners opposed tariffs fearing they would damage the Southern economy which was heavily dependent upon trade. Whyare they dependent on trade? Tariff: Tax on imported Goods Northerners wanted tariffs to protect their industries from foreign competition. The Commerce Compromise: The Constitution allows the federal government to tax imports but not exports. Key Compromise: Tariffs

11. Northern Abolitionists V. Southern Slave Owners Northern abolitionists wanted the Constitution to ban the (external) slave trade. They believed that slavery would eventually prove unprofitable and die out. Southern Slave owners argued that slavery was vital to the economic survival of the South Slave Trade Compromise: Congress was given the power to ban the slave trade after 1808. Do you notice any pattern of conflict between regions of the New Nation? What? Key Compromise: Slave Trade

12. Some delegates believed the president should be elected directly by the people. Others believed that the people could not be trusted with such a decision. What surprises you about this? Opponents of direct election offered a number of alternatives including election by state legislatures. Democracy equated to mob rule. Compromise on Executive Elections: The president is elected indirectly by the electoral college to a four year term of office. Add up the state’s representation in Congress and this equals their Electoral Votes. Must have a majority to win. Key Compromise: Executive Election

13. Is the Electoral College Outdated?