NE

The Constitutional Convention

  • The Place
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • Old Statehouse
    • Known today as Independence Hall
    • The same place was used for the Declaration of Independence
    • Began on May 25, 1787
  • The Delegates
    • 74 delegates from 12 states
    • Only 55 delegates attended
    • Rhode Island did not participate
  • Organization
    • George Washington was elected President of the convention
    • Each state had one vote
    • Simple majority rules
    • 7 out of 13
    • Quorum of 7 needed to do business
    • Meetings were kept secret/confidential to allow free discussion
  • Key Agreements
    • Limited government
    • Separation of powers
    • End states creating their own money
    • States could not interfere with creditors’ rights
    • Stronger national government
  • Major Plans
    • Virginia Plan
    • Strong Congress
      • Lower chamber elected by people
      • Upper chamber elected by lower chamber
    • President chosen by Congress
    • Judiciary appointed by Congress
    • Problem
      • Big states would be in control
    • New Jersey Plan
    • Keep basics of Articles of Confederation
    • Unicameral Congress
      • One vote for each state
      • Given power to tax and regulate trade
    • Weak presidential committee appointed by Congress
    • Judiciary appointed by President
    • Problem
      • Retained many of the problems of the failed Articles of Confederation
      • National government would remain weak
  • The Compromise
    • Connecticut Compromise
    • Bicameral Congress
      • House of Representatives based on population and elected by people
      • Senate
      • 2 members from each state elected by state legislatures
    • All taxing and spending laws would start in the House of Representatives
    • ⅗ Compromise
    • Issue
      • How to count slaves for representation and taxation
    • Solution
      • Slaves counted as ⅗ of a person for both representation and taxes
  • Ratification
    • Process began September 1787
    • Constitution went into effect in June 1788 after 9 states ratified it
    • Rhode Island finally approved it in May 1790
  • Federalists
    • Supported ratification of the Constitution
    • Wanted a strong federal government
    • Mostly from cities and eastern coastal regions
    • Involved in trade
    • Wanted improved commerce
    • Biggest arguments for ratification
    • Avoid anarchy
    • Protect the nation
    • Solve problems in trade and commerce
  • Anti-Federalists
    • Opposed ratification
    • Feared a strong central government
    • Mostly inland farmers and laborers
    • Biggest arguments against Constitution
    • The meeting was in secret
    • Was extralegal
      • Didn’t do what they were supposed to do
      • They were supposed to improve the Articles of Confederation
    • It did not include the Bill of Rights