The Constitutional Convention

1. The Constitutional Convention

2. Shays’ Rebellion • Farmers were taken into court, then to jail, and their land was taken away from them because they were in debt. • In1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place. • The revolt was led by Daniel Shays.

4. The farmers began to forcibly prevent the courts from meeting so they couldn’t take anyone else’s land away or put them in jail. • Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated. • Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

5. Results of Shays’ Rebellion • Shays’ Rebellion showed the leaders of America that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed.

6. The Constitutional Convention begins • 1787 - Philadelphia • Delegates from all the states invited to a convention to improve the Articles of Confederation, which were not working • Only RI didn’t attend • 55 Delegates attended

7. George Washington was asked to preside (lead) over the convention. James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The Father of the Constitution.” The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “Founding Fathers.” All the participants in the Convention were wealthy, white, males. Leaders of the Convention

8. Debates, Decisions and Compromises • Convention began by choosing George Washington to preside over meetings. • Each state would have one vote on all questions. • The delegates decided to keep all the sessions secret. This made it possible for the delegates to talk freely.

9. The Founding Fathers

10. George Washington • Presided over meeting • Gave the meeting greater significance • Would later become the first president of the United States

11. Benjamin Franklin • Oldest delegate (80 years old) • Like Washington, was well respected and added a positive presence to the meetings

12. Governor Morris • Powerful speaker and writer • Wrote the Preamble • Wrote final draft of Constitution • Tried to get Constitutional Convention to ban slavery

13. James Madison • Father of the Constitution • His notes became the best record of what happened at the convention. • Supporter of strong central government

14. Edmund Randolph • Governor of Virginia • Proposed creating strong national government instead of rewriting Articles • Introduced Virginia Plan to convention

15. William Paterson • Presented the New Jersey plan, a plan that revised the Articles of Confederation

16. Roger Sherman • Proposed a compromise to the New Jersey and Virginia plan which came to be known as The Great Compromise

17. Called for a new national government. Threw out the Articles of Confederation Three separate branches of government. – a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch Representation in the legislative branch based on population of state Large states like the plan, small states don’t. The Virginia Plan

18. Legislature - has one house. Each state gets one vote. Small states like the plan, the large states hate it. There would have to be a compromise. New Jersey Plan

19. The power of the federal government. Would the states or the federal government have the most power? Representation in Congress (How many members on Congress would each state get? – small states wanted equal representation, large states wanted it to be determined by population of the states Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue? Issues that divided the Nation’s leaders

20. Legislature would have two houses (parts): House of Representatives and a Senate House - based on the population of state Senate - two senators per each state The Great Compromise

21. Slavery Issue • Northern states wanted to ban slavery throughout the nation • Southern states considered slavery essential to their economies • The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued

22. It was a terrible compromise to make, but the Northern states had no choice if they wanted a Constitution. 3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of Representatives It was agreed that Congress would not interfere with the slave trade until 1808 The 3/5 Compromise

23. Separation of Powers President Court System ( How the Government will be organized ) 3 Branches Executive Judicial Legislative House of Reps. Senate = Congress Makes Laws Carries out laws Interpret the laws

24. Amendments Before any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country. Bill of Rights 1st Amendment 2nd Amendment 3rd Amendment

25. Signing the Constitution 39 delegates signed before leaving Philadelphia. Each state planned to have its own convention to vote on the adoption. Nine states were needed to ratify. December 7, 1787

26. Federalists vs. Anti Federalists ... Let the Battle Begin... Federalists: Supporters of the New Constitution George Washington Ben Franklin James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay Anti Federalists: Opposed ratification of the new Constitution 1. Would take away liberties 2. Create a strong central government 3. Ignore the will of the people 4. Favor the wealthy **Wanted the gov. close to the people Thomas Paine Patrick Henry

27. Ratification June 21, 1788 New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government. There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov. The four remaining states signed by May of 1790! Go USA!!