Constitutional Convention of 1787

Background Knowledge:

• Independence Hall, Philadelphia :: Where
• May 14, 1787 - September 17, 1787 :: When
• 55 delegates :: Who
    * Rejected the Articles of Confederation and replaced them with the first written constitution of any country

Issues with the Articles of Confederation

• Representation
    * Great Compromise :: solved the issue of representation
    * Representation by population :: Large states
    * Equal representation :: Small states
    * House of Representatives :: represents states by population and has 435 members
    * Senate :: represents states equally with two members each
• State vs. Federal Powers
    * States feared tyranny and oppression if the federal government was stronger
    * Compromise for state vs. Federal Powers :: 10th Constitutional amendment: the Federal Government only has the powers listed in the Constitution, if they aren’t listed, they belong to the states or the people.
    * Balanced state and federal powers
• Executive power
    * Executive power :: One president with all the power
    * Americans feared executive power after fighting a war against it
    * 60 votes :: number of votes before delegates agreed on Electoral College system for President
    * President’s powers are checked and balanced with:
      * The three branches of government shared power with him
        * A presidential veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote from Congress
        * Senate has to approve Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet members
      * Executive power is spread into an entire branch of government
        * Cabinet members
        * Presidential advisors
• Slavery
    * 3/5 compromise :: solved disagreements between states on slavery
      * A male slave was 3/5 of a person
      * Gave southern states more seats in the House of Representatives
    * Caused debate on the ban on the importation of slaves
      * 1808 :: when Congress banned the slave trade after the Constitutional Convention decided to allow Congress to ban the slave trade if they chose to do so.
• Commerce
    * AoC :: said that each state had the power to have its own currency, laws, and taxes. Made the states compete against each other.
    * Washington, Madison, and Hamilton :: delegates that believed promoting the free flow of commerce across state lines and nationalizing the economy would get the U.S. more power. Giving more power to the Federal Government would unite the states, creating a stronger, more economically stable nation.