Lecture 1 People at the Consitutional Convention

Lecture 1: People at the Constitution

The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A pivotal moment in American history where the foundation of the United States Constitution was laid.

• George Mason

"Every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant." 

The Constitutional Convention

• The birth of the US Constitution

• Held in 1787

• Key event in American history

• Founding Fathers gathered

• Created a new government

People NOT at the Convention

For most of the 18th and 19th century women and minority poplulations were excluded from the political process.

The 55 delegates at the Convention were all men, white, land owners, and wealthy. Most were lawyers, politicans, or soldiers.

The Birth of a Constitution

• The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A gathering of delegates from 12 out of 13 states to draft a new constitution for the United States.
• George Washington: The presiding officer of the convention, known for his leadership and impartiality.
• Importance: The convention laid the foundation for the U.S. Constitution, establishing the framework for the government and protecting individual rights.

The Constitutional Convention

• James Madison: favored a strong central government

• Key decisions: Separation of powers, checks and balances

• Legacy: Madison's contributions shape the United States today, known as "Father of the Constitution"

James Madison

Trivia: James Madison is often referred to as the 'Father of the Constitution'. He played a crucial role in drafting and promoting the Constitution, and was instrumental in its ratification. Madison's contributions to the Constitution include the Virginia Plan, the Bill of Rights, and his extensive notes on the Constitutional Convention.

Presented the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention, which served as the basis for much of the debate and discussion. The Virginia Plan proposed a strong national government with a bicameral legislature, executive, and judiciary.

Edmond Randolph

He played a key role in the creation of the Great Compromise, which resolved the dispute between larger and smaller states regarding representation in the legislative branch. This resulted in the creation of a bicameral legislature.

​Roger Sherman

Other Leaders

Gouverneur Morris

"Penman of the Constitution"

Morris was just 35 years old at the time of the Constitutional Convention. At the Convention, he was highly instrumental in creating the language and structure of the Constitution. Morris was also one of the loudest voices against slavery at the Convention. According to Madison’s notes, Morris found himself “reduced to the dilemma of doing injustice to the Southern States or to human nature, and he must therefore do it to the former.”

Multiple Choice

What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• To create a new government

• To establish the Bill of Rights

• To declare independence from Britain

• To abolish slavery

Multiple Choice

Who was the presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

Match

Match the following

• against slavery
• George Washington
• James Madison

• Alexander Hamilton

• Connecticut Compromise

Morris

president of the convention

citizens should elect representatives

president for life

Roger Sherman

• Morris
• president of the convention
• citizens should elect representatives

• president for life

• Roger Sherman

Multiple Choice

How old was Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention?

• 45
• 62
• 73
• 81

Multiple Choice

How many delegates were at the Constitutional Convention?

• 75
• 100
• 55
• 30

Multiple Choice

What role did Roger Sherman play at the Constitutional Convention?

• believed that people's rights should not be listed, this would be used by tyrants to take rights away

• supported the Great Compromise for bicameral legislature

• argued for a strong legislature and an executive to carryout the will of the legislative branch

• all of these are correct

People at the Constitutional Convention

​Biblography


1. Constitution Center. "Forgotten Founders: Gouverneur Morris." National Constitution Center, n.d., https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/forgotten-founders-gouverneur-morris.

2. Bill of Rights Institute. "Roger Sherman (1721-1793)." Bill of Rights Institute, n.d., https://billofrightsinstitute.org/activities/handout-a-roger-sherman-1721-1793.

3.Congress.gov. "The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription." Congress.gov, n.d., https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/intro.6-3/ALDE_00000050/.