Reforming the National Government and The 1787 Constitutional Convention

Reforming the National Government

• by mid-1780s, elite leaders agree change is needed
• political divisions echoed those of the revolution:   * most former moderates:     * nationalist, wanted strong central government   * most former radicals:     * localist/regionalist, suspicious of central government   * 1786 Annapolis Convention     * failure, only 5 states attend     * plan to meet in philadelphia, summer 1787     * meanwhile, shays’ rebellion and economic crisis and congressional stalemate

The 1787 Constitutional Convention

• philadelphia, summer 1787   * 55 delegates (all states but Rhode Island)   * tight secrecy   * dubious legality/legitimacy
• mostly moderate nationalists   * young (30-40s), elite, aristocratic   * about 25 owned slaves
• agreed on basics:   * government needed to be more powerful   * should be a republic
• two key sets of disagreements:   * how to determine each state’s representation in new government     * big vs small states     * free vs slave states   * the future of slavery     * should it end/continue and how?     * who should decide, states or federal government?

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