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Learn about the historical Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 where concerns with the Articles of Confederation led to the creation of a new constitution through crucial compromises.
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What it was A meeting in Philadelphia, US capital, with the purpose of Amending/fixing the problems associated w/the Articles of Confederation Such as No Executive to enforce laws-Shay’s Rebellion No power to tax No Judicial branch No power of interstate trade No law forbidding states from coining $$$
Where, When, Who Philadelphia- May-September 1787 55 delegates from 12 states Wealthy white males George Washington was president of the secret meetings
Too Many Problems The Delegates at the Convention decided there were too many problems with the Articles and decided to Create an entirely NEW CONSTITUTION Eliminating the Articles of Confederation Now they would need to compromise in many areas
Problems and Compromises The Large and small states fought over REPRESENTATION in Congress- The more representatives in Congress the more power a state would have-VA vs. NJ Plans The Great Compromise-solved the representation debate A Bi-cameral legislature was created House of Representatives-based on population Senate-two for each state Sometimes known as Connecticut Compromise
Problems and Compromises Slavery was also a major problem Southern states wanted slaves counted for representation But Not for taxes Northern states opposed this view For every 5 slaves a state had 3 counted for representation and taxation “3/5 Compromise” New slaves were not to be imported after1808-not an end to slavery!!
Problems and Compromises Under the Articles trade was controlled by the states Northern states wanted national government to have this power Southern states feared a loss of $$ through new export taxes- (cotton) Control of interstate trade went to National government Import taxes(Tariffs)but no export taxes Commerce Compromise
Problems and Compromises Delegates argued over election of a president Is he Elected directly by the people? or Elected by the state legislatures? They decided to “Indirectly” elect the president with a Group of electors known as The Electoral College
Problems and Compromises Debt from the revolution was another issue that needed to be dealt with Southern states had paid their’s Northern states still owed millions $$ to other nations Southern states agreed to pay off the debt as one national debt, if The new nation’s capital was placed in the south This issue and compromise was known asAssumption
A New Plan of Government By September 1787 the meeting was done The delegates had created a brand new constitution The Constitution of The United States of America It now needed to be “ratified” [approved] by 9 of 13 states (The constitution is a new law)
The Fight for RatificationFederalistsvs. Anti-federalists Favored ratifying Saw no need to add/change the new plan Organized supporters to write essays telling why new plan should be ratified- The Federalist Papers GEORGE WASHINGTON FAVORED RATIFICATION Feared the new constitution would result in A loss of personal and state rights Demanded a Bill of Rights be added To guarantee civil liberties/rights
The Fight for RatificationFederalistsvs. Anti-federalists Promised to add a Bill of Rights in return wanted Guarantee Constitution would be ratified Agreed to ratification with addition of Bill of Rights 10 total 1791 This became the final compromise The Constitution is known as a Bundle of Compromises
Articlesvs.Constitution No power to tax No Executive No Judicial Branch No control over trade between the states States could coin $$$ State governments most power National gov’t taxes President to enforce laws Supreme Court to interpret laws Controls interstate commerce/trade Only the national gov’t can coin $$$ NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SUPREME TO STATES
