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The Constitution is Written and Ratified. Pages 53-58. Delegates. Eleven states sent delegates right away New Hampshire was late sending delegates Rhode Island did not participate - its politics were dominated by people opposed to strengthening the central government
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The Constitution is Written and Ratified Pages 53-58
Delegates • Eleven states sent delegates right away • New Hampshire was late sending delegates • Rhode Island did not participate - its politics were dominated by people opposed to strengthening the central government • 74 delegates appointed, 55 attended • 39 signed the final document • Well known figures of the Revolution were absent- Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
Make up of delegates • fairly young and well educated • ranged in age from 26 to 81 • half had attended college • half were trained in law • most had considerable political experience • many had been officers in the Revolution
Organizing the Constitution • Quorum - enough to do business - majority - 7 • George Washington was chosen as the leader • Each state got one vote • proposals could be passed by a majority of those present • all proceedings were to be kept secret • James Madison - Father of Constitution - had the most influence - kept best notes
Virginia Plan • Proposed by Edmund Randolph • Strong central government • 3 separate branches of gov’t-legislative, executive, judicial • two house legislature - representation based on pop. or money cont., lower house would be elected and then select the upper house • national leg. would have authority to cancel conflicting state laws and make the states comply with national laws • objection - favored the large states
New Jersey Plan • Proposed by William Paterson • favored small states • 1 house nat. leg. with representatives selected by the state leg. (Each one vote) • a plural executive selected by the national legislature • a supreme court appointed for life by the executive officers • rejected by large states after only 4 days
Great Compromise • Resolved the question of representation • Members in lower house would be apportioned among the states by population and elected by the people • the upper house, each state would have an equal no. (2) which would be chosen by state legislatures • House was given sole power to begin money bills
3/5ths Compromise • South wanted to count slaves for representation but not taxation • North wanted to count slaves for taxation but not representation • Agreed to count 3/5ths of all slaves for both taxation and representation • American Indians were not counted at all
Economic compromises • Congress was given the exclusive authority to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce • President was given power to negotiate treaties with foreign states • Southern interests: • 1. The slave trade was not to be prohibited for 20 years • 2. Congress could not impose duties on exports • 3. Treaties must be approved by 2/3rds of the Senate
Final meeting • Through compromise, the delegates had basically agreed on the Constitution • Committee on style set about arranging and writing the final draft • After 4 months, the text of the Constitution was presented Sept. 12 • Sept 17, 1787 the Constitution was signed by most of the states present (39) • 3 men chose not to sign
Ratification • Nine states had to ratify for it to go into effect • To be ratified by special conventions called for that purpose • Did not let leg. ratify because they were afraid that they would turn it down since it reduced their powers.
Federalists • Those who favored the creation of the new federal system of government • Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Gov. Morris and James Madison • Argued a bill of rights was not necessary • Agreed to include a bill of rights to make other side happy
Antifederalists • Opposed a strong federal government • Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee • Felt the framers had gone too far • Wanted a bill of rights added
Ratification • Delaware became the first state to ratify • Constitution was officially ratified on June 21, 1788 • Needed the support of Virginia and New York, the richest states • Virginia finally ratified after a passionate debate • New York ratified after Federalists papers were published
New Government • New York City would be the temporary national capital • Elections were set for the first Congress • First Congress would meet March 1789 • 22 senators and 59 representatives • George Washington was chosen as first President • Bill of Rights was drafted • Within a year the final states had ratified and the Union was formed
