3.8 - The Constitutional Convention and Debates over Ratification

Theme: Politics and Power

Learning Objective 3.1

  • Explain the differing ideological positions on the structure and function of the federal government.

Key Concept: KC-3.2.II.C.i

  • Delegates from the states participated in the Constitutional Convention and, through negotiation, collaboration, and compromise, proposed a constitution.

Constitutional Convention Overview

  • The beginning of the Constitutional Convention traces back to 1786 during the Annapolis Convention.

    • Issue Identified: Not enough states sent delegates to address the Articles of Confederation (AOC) issues.

    • Next Meeting Planned: A follow-up convention was scheduled for 1787, with 12 of 13 states sending delegates to discuss reforms.

  • Main Goal: Create a Constitution primarily based on James Madison’s Virginia Plan.

Structure of the Government Proposed

  • The Constitution was designed to be based on Madison’s Virginia Plan incorporating three branches of government.

  • This new approach fundamentally rejected the existing governmental model in favor of drafting a new constitution.

  • The delegates convened at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, where meetings were held behind closed doors.

  • Key Issues Addressed: There were significant concerns regarding:

    • The size and power of the central government compared to the powers held by individual states.

    • The level of democracy to be permitted, emphasizing that only individuals who had a stake in the country and possessed a certain level of education should hold the most power in government.

The Connecticut Compromise

  • An agreement reached during the convention to settle representation issues through a bicameral legislature, composed of:

    • Senate: Equal representation for each state (2 senators from each state).

    • House of Representatives: Proportional representation based on state population.

Creation of the Electoral College

  • Purpose: To maintain the importance of states in Presidential elections, ensuring states retained influence despite the constitutional shift.

  • Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes equivalent to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress.

  • Functionality: The national popular vote does not directly determine presidential elections through these electoral votes.

Key Concept: KC-3.2.II.D

  • The Constitutional Convention achieved compromises over issues relating to the representation of slave states in Congress and the federal government's regulation of slavery and the slave trade.

  • This included a provision for prohibiting the international slave trade after 1808.

Compromises on Slavery

  • Southern states sought protective measures, leading to the invention of the Three-Fifths Compromise:

    • Definition: A method established to determine the representation of enslaved people in congressional matters.

    • Context: Southern states wanted enslaved individuals counted fully for congressional representation while Northern states argued against this on ethical grounds (not counting individuals who did not have rights).

    • Outcome: Each enslaved individual was counted as three-fifths of a person for representation in the House of Representatives.

Further Compromises on Slavery

  • Fugitive Slave Clause: Article IV guaranteed the return of runaway slaves who crossed state lines.

    • Ensured that when a runaway entered a different state, they remained bonded, necessitating their return if caught.

  • Delay in Banning the International Slave Trade:

    • The clause mandated that discussions around the importation of enslaved people from abroad could not be held for 20 years.

    • Despite their dehumanizing nature, these compromises were critical for persuading southern states to accept the new constitution.

Key Concept: KC-3.2.II.E

  • The debates surrounding the ratification of the Constitution featured a conflict between Anti-Federalists, who opposed ratification, and Federalists, who supported it.

  • The Federalist principles were primarily articulated through the Federalist Papers, drafted mainly by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Ratification Debates

  • Anti-Federalist Arguments:

    • Concerns that a strong central government would infringe upon state sovereignty and personal liberties.

  • Federalist Arguments:

    • Advocated for a robust central government to enhance the economy and national defense.

    • Asserted that a federal system with separate branches of government would safeguard against tyranny.

    • The Federalist Papers were widely distributed across states to gain public support for ratification.

Promises for Ratification

  • The Federalists assured the Constitution's ratification by pledging to include a Bill of Rights outlining individual rights and restricting the federal government's powers.

Bill of Rights

  • The Bill of Rights was crafted during the first session of Congress by James Madison.

    • Contents: Comprised of the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

  • Ratification Requirements: Only nine out of thirteen states were needed to achieve ratification.

  • Timeline: Ratification was completed in June 1788; Rhode Island was the last to ratify in May 1790.

Conclusion

  • The final draft of the Constitution emerged from various compromises, notably granting protections regarding slavery to southern states.

  • The resulting ideological divide led to the emergence of Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification battle.

  • Ratification was ultimately secured with the promise of a Bill of Rights, ensuring individual liberties were upheld.