Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention

The Miracle of Philadelphia

Controversies Facing the New Nation

• Large vs. Small populated States

• Northern vs. Southern States

• Urban vs. Rural States

The Convention Begins

• Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA

• May - September 1787

• 55 Delegates

• Washington was unanimously chosen as President of the Convention

• A Quorum was 7 states; Rhode Island did not send delegates

• A simple majority was 7 (no super majority)

• Secrecy

Key Agreements

* Came to REVISE the Articles, but quickly decided to start over

* limited government

*representative government

* strengthen the federal government but maintain federalism

* three branches of government

George Washington

Elected President

Remained Quiet during the Convention

Secretly Supported the Virginal Plan

Benjamin Franklin

Oldest Delegate

Active during the Debates (Committee of the Whole) but quiet during Convention

Gouverneur Morris

Eloquent Speaker

Author of the Preamble

Wrote final draft

James Madison

Father of the Constitution

Edmund Randolph Introduced It

Virginia Plan

• Bicameral Legislature based on population

• State Legislatures would choose the Senators

• From there, the legislature would just both the President and the National Courts

• Large States would essentially hold the power

William Paterson

Leader of the Small States

Wanted to Revise the Articles

New Jersey Plan

• Keep the unicameral legislature

• Each state would have 1 vote

• The Executive Branch would be an oligarchy (made up of three)

Roger Sherman

* Offered the Great Compromise

Multiple Choice

Who was elected President of the Convention?

• George Washington

• James Madison

• Benjamin Franklin

• Roger Sherman

Multiple Choice

Who as considered the Father of the Constitution?

• George Wasington

• Benjamin Franklin

• James Madison

• Roger Sherman

Multiple Choice

What plan favored the larger populated states?

• Virginia Plan

• New Jersey Plan

Multiple Choice

Which plan wanted to simply amend and fix the Articles of Confederation?

• Virginia Plan

• New Jersey Plan

Multiple Choice

Who came up with the compromise that eventually led to our basic representation?

• New Jersey

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Virginia

No Slave Trade for 20 years (1807)

Getting Approval

• 9/13 of the States must approve

• Federalists supported (FOR) the Constitution. This group included merchants, urban citizens, and coastal regions.

• Antifederalists did not support the new Constitution. This group included farmers, rural citizens, and inland localities.

Anti-Federalists

* The Anti-Federalists criticized the secrecy of the Constitutional Convention.

* Their biggest opposition surrounded that there was no bBill of Rights

Alexander Hamilton

Persuaded New York to vote FOR the Constitution

First Secretary of the Treasury

Leader of the Federalist Party (Democrats)

Close Advisor to George Washington