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Explore the formation of the US Constitution and key figures like Hamilton, Madison, and Washington at the pivotal 1787 convention. Discover the rival plans, compromises, and agreements that shaped the foundation of American governance.
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Objectives • Understand the reasons leaders called for the Constitutional Convention. • Summarize the rival plans of government proposed at the convention. • Describe the compromises made in order to reach agreement on the Constitution.
Terms and People • Alexander Hamilton – New York delegate, favored strong central government • James Madison – referred to as the Father of the Constitution, proposed the Virginia Plan • Virginia Plan – Madison’s proposal for a strong federal government, dividing power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches • New Jersey Plan – William Paterson’s proposal for a unicameral legislature, giving each state one vote and retaining most features of the Articles of Confederation
Terms and People(continued) • Great Compromise – Roger Sherman’s proposal, which included a House representing the population and a Senate with two votes per state • federalism – a system that divides power between state governments and the federal government • Three-Fifths Compromise – in return for Southern support of the Constitution, northerners agreed to count each slave as three-fifths of a person for determining electoral votes and seats in Congress
What new system of national government did the delegates agree upon at the Constitutional Convention of 1787? After Shays’ Rebellion, Congress called for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead, they created an entirely new constitution.
By 1787 most citizens agreed that the Articles were flawed and needed at least two major changes • The power to regulate interstate and international commerce • The power to tax In May, delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia to propose Amendments to the Articles.
Fifty-three of the nation’s top leaders met at the Pennsylvania State House. • Most helped to write their state constitutions • Most were rich • All were white males • Twenty-one fought in the Revolution • Eight were signers of theDeclaration of Independence The Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall
Who came? • Leaders present • Not present: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They were serving as diplomats in Europe • George Washington was chosen as president of the Convention.
Framers of the Constitution Alexander Hamiltonadvocated for a powerful central government. Ben Franklin contributed experience, wisdom, and prestige. James Madison, called the Father of the Constitution, already had a plan of government in mind. George Washington, called the Father of our country, attracted crowds when he arrived in Philadelphia.
Hamilton and Madison emerged as leaders. Alexander Hamilton • Conservative; he feared too much democracy • Favored a balance of aristocracy, monarchy, and republicanism James Madison • Favored a large republic with diverse interests to preserve the common good • Favored a system where different interests would check each other’s power to ensure liberty
James Madison proposed his Virginia Plan. • A strong federal government with power to tax, regulate commerce, and veto state laws • A Senateanda House of Representatives, both based on population • A strong President to command the military and manage foreign relations
William Pattersonproposed the New Jersey Plan. • An executive by committee rather than one leader • A unicameral legislature with one vote per state regardless of population • States retain sovereignty except for a few powers granted to the federal government Larger states favored the Virginia Plan, while smaller states favored the New Jersey plan.
Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise to break the impasse. Two Houses in Congress • The lower house was based on a state’s population. In the upper house, each state had two senators. A system of federalism • Power would be divided between the federal government and the states. Certain powers, such as issuing money, were forbidden to states.
Southern states feared larger free states would dominate Congress and threaten slavery. • They saw slavery asessential for their economy and demanded protections in the Constitution. • Delegates from Georgia and South Carolina threatened to walk out. Slavery proved to be a divisive issue.
Aslave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in Congress and electoral votes for presidential elections. • Importation of slavescould not be forbidden for 20 years. • Northern states could not pass laws to help runaway slaves. Solution: Three-fifths Compromise
No Bill of Rights Southerners such as Charles C. Pinckney feared the inclusion of antislavery phrases, such as “all men are by nature free.” • Some delegates refused to sign in protest. • George Mason • Edmund Randolph • Elbridge Gerry, who called it “flawed”
On September 17, forty-two delegates remained at the convention. Franklin urged all delegates to unite in support of the new constitution. Hamilton accepted the Constitution as the only alternative to “anarchy and convulsion.” Thirty-nine delegates signed, and the Constitution was sent to the states for ratification.
