Constutional Convention

Constitutional Convention

Objective: I will be able to explain how national leaders reshaped the the government.

Constitutional Convention

The American Revolution led to a union of 13 states, but it had not yet created a nation. They demanded a reform of the Articles of Confederation. Two Americans who were active in the movement for change were James Madison, a Virginia planter, and Alexander Hamilton, a New York lawyer.

Constitutional Convention

In September 1786, Hamilton proposed calling a convention, or meeting, in Philadelphia to discuss trade issues. He also suggested that this convention consider what possible changes were needed to make "the Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies [needs] of the Union."

Multiple Choice

What was James Madison's occupation, or job?

• New York Lawyer

• Virginia planter

• Pennsylvania Printer

• Massachusetts fisherman

Multiple Choice

What was Alexander Hamilton's occupation, or job?

• Lead in a musical play

• Virginia planter

• Massachusetts fisherman

• New York lawyer

George Washington's View

At first, George Washington was not enthusiastic about the movement to revise the Articles of Confederation. When Washington heard about Shays' Rebellion he changed his mind.

The Philadelphia meeting...

 ...began in May, 1787 and continued through one of the hottest summers on record. The 55 delegates included planters, merchants, lawyers, physicians, generals, governors, and a college president. Three of the delegates were under 30 years of age, and one, Benjamin Franklin, was over 80.

Occupation & Education of delegates

At a time when only one white man in 1,000 went to college, 26 of the delegates had college degrees. Other groups, such as Native Americans, African Americans, and women, were not considered part of the political process, so they were not represented at the convention.

James Madison...

...was a keen supporter of a strong national government. Madison's careful notes documented the Convention's work. Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" because he was the author of the basic plan of government that the Convention adopted.

Multiple Select

What event changed Washington's mind about changing the Articles of Confederation.

• Shays' Rebellion

• Boston Tea Party

• Treaty of Paris

• Boston Massacre

Multiple Select

Check ALL the groups that were NOT represented at the convention.

• Native Americans

• Women

• White men

• African Americans

Multiple Choice

Who was the author of the basic plan of government that the Convention adopted & is known as "The Father of the Constitution"?

• George Washington

• James Madison

• Benjamin Franklin

• Alexander Hamilton

Organization

The delegates chose George Washington to preside over the meetings. The delegates also decided that each state would have one vote on all questions. A simple majority vote of those states present would make decisions.

Organization

No meetings could be held unless delegates from at least 7 of the 13 states were present. Sessions were not open to the public, which allowed the delegates to talk freely. 

Multiple Choice

Who was chosen to preside over the convention meetings?

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• James Madison

• John Adams

Multiple Choice

How many delegates had to be present for a meeting to take place?

• At least 3

• At least 4

• At least 6

• At least 7

The Virginia Plan

The Convention opened with a surprise from the Virginia delegation. Edmund Randolph proposed the creation of a strong national government. He introduced the Virginia Plan, which was largely the work of James Madison. The plan called for a two-house legislature, a chief executive chosen by the legislature, and a court system.

The Virginia Plan

The members of the lower house of the legislature would be elected by the people. The members of the upper house would be chosen by the lower house. In both houses the number of representatives would be proportional, or corresponding in size, to the population of each state. This would give Virginia many more delegates than Delaware, the state with the smallest population.

Virginia Plan

Delegates from Delaware, New Jersey, and other small states immediately objected. They preferred the Confederation system in which all states were represented equally. Delegates who were unhappy with the Virginia Plan rallied around William Paterson of New Jersey.

New Jersey Plan

Paterson's New Jersey Plan kept the Confederation's one-house legislature, with one vote for each state. Congress would elect a weak executive branch consisting of more than one person. Paterson argued that the Convention should not deprive the smaller states of the equality they had under the Articles. This plan was designed simply to amend, or improve, the Articles.

Multiple Choice

Proportional means, corresponding in size.

• False

• True

Multiple Choice

What does amend mean?

• approve

• discard

• improve

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: What were the framers working on in Philadelphia in May pf 1787?