Events Leading Up to the Constitutional Convention

1. Events Leading Up to the Constitutional Convention Who was thinking what!?

2. Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry • Supported a weak central government • “GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH”!

4. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison • Said that strong state governments should exist to balance the central government • Local leaders could not best represent citizens Jefferson

5. John Adams • In favor of a bicameral legislature • Upper house made of men of property • Lower house of “hot-headed” representatives

6. George Washington • Wanted to strengthen unity of the states • Wanted this so that order was maintained and people’s freedoms were protected

7. Alexander Hamilton • Wanted national government to take a strong lead over states in economic matters

8. Shays Rebellion • This was the spark: • The KEY for shifting balance of power away from the states and more to a balanced government

9. May 1787: • 55 delegates from 12 colonies (RI did not attend) attended a public meeting in Philadelphia • There were no women, Native Americans or African Americans allowed • Patrick Henry REFUSED to attend • Samuel Adams was not asked • Thomas Jefferson was in France • John Adams was in Britain

10. As a result of the non-attendees: • The most influential voices of the Constitutional Convention were Hamilton and Washington

11. But what about Madison? • James Madison is considered the “Father of the Constitution” because he “shaped” the words that came out of the Constitutional Convention. He took detailed notes at the Convention and translated them into the writing of the Constitution.