Lesson 11 : Who attended the Philadelphia Convention & how was it organized?

1. Lesson 11: Who attended the Philadelphia Convention & how was it organized? • This lesson will help you understand the reasons for the convention that was held in Philadelphia in the spring of 1787. It will also describe some of the famous Americans who attended the convention. • When we finish this lesson, you will be able to explain why the Philadelphia Convention was held, how the Framers organized the conventions, and be able to describe the contributions of some of the Americans who participated in the convention.

2. What was the original purpose for calling a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787? • Congress told the delegates from the states to develop a plan to improve the Articles of Confederation. • The plan was then supposed to be submitted to Congress for its approval. • As far as Congress was concerned, the men who met in Philadelphia were just advisers to Congress. • But something very different was about to happen.

3. How many delegates attended the meeting? What was their average age? • 55 delegates, or representatives, attended from 12 states (Rhode Island didn’t sent delegates) • Average age was 42 (fairly young)

4. Three delegates to the convention who were very important: George Washington • Was the most respected & honored man in country • He was convinced that a stronger national government was necessary but he didn’t walk about it in public • At first he refused to attend—he didn’t want to become involved in politics • He finally agreed to attend because he was afraid that if he did not, people might think he had lost his faith in republican government. • He was unanimously chosen to preside over the convention

5. James Madison • Often called the “Father of the Constitution” • His influence was great • He brought a plan with him for a stronger national government: the Virginia Plan • He also took very careful notes about what happened at the convention—much of what we know about the convention we have learned from his notes.

6. Benjamin Franklin • Was 81 (oldest delegate) and in poor health • Delegate from Pennsylvania • One of the most respected men in America • Had a long and distinguished career as a printer, writer, inventor, writer, revolutionary, peacemaker (had negotiated peace treaty with Britain), and diplomat. • His primary role at the convention was to encourage the delegates to cooperate with each other when they disagreed and supported the important compromises they reached to solve their disagreements.

7. What three things did the Framers agree upon almost immediately? • The Framers decided to ignore the directions of Congress because they thought the problems with the Articles of Confederation were too serious to try to correct them—they realized they needed a new constitution • They decided to keep the record of what they said at the convention a secret for 30 years. • They were afraid that if their discussions were made public, they would not feel free to express their opinions. • They thought that the new constitution would have a greater chance of being accepted if people didn’t know about the arguments that went on during its creation • Each state would have 1 vote at the convention. This decision was made to gain the cooperation of small states.

8. Important people who were not at the Convention: • Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were in France • John Adams was in England • Patrick Henry refused to attend because he “smelled a rat.” He was against the creation of a strong national government and he suspected that the delegates to the convention might not just try to improve the Articles of Confederation—he was afraid that they might try to write a new constitution that created a powerful national government. He was right!

9. What were the ideas about government that the Framers agreed upon? • They should create a constitutional government—a government of limited powers. • The purpose of the government should be to protect people’s basic rights (life, liberty, property) and promote the common welfare (the good of the community as a whole) • A strong national government was needed to serve these purposes • A republican form of government of elected representatives was necessary to make sure the government serve the common welfare. • The separation of powers and a system of checks and balances were necessary to prevent the abuse of power

10. How long did it take the Framers to write the Constitution? How long has it lasted? • Because of their agreement on basic ideas about government, the Framers were able to write the Constitution—if they hadn’t agreed on these ideas, it would have been very difficult, if not impossible, to do it. • They wrote it in less than four months • It has lasted almost 225 years!

11. Homework for Tonight • Read Lesson 12 in your textbook (pp. 50-52) • Answer Lesson 12 questions in your study guide