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AP United States History Study Guides
AP United States History Ultimate Guide
Unit 1: Period 1: 1491–1607
Unit 2: Period 2: 1607–1754
Unit 3: Period 3: 1754–1800
Unit 4: Period 4: 1800–1848
Unit 5: Period 5: 1844–1877
Unit 6: Period 6: 1865–1898
Unit 7: Period 7: 1890–1945
Unit 8: Period 8: 1945–1980
Unit 9: Period 9: 1980–Present
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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
Note
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AP United States History Study Guides
AP United States History Ultimate Guide
Unit 1: Period 1: 1491–1607
Unit 2: Period 2: 1607–1754
Unit 3: Period 3: 1754–1800
Unit 4: Period 4: 1800–1848
Unit 5: Period 5: 1844–1877
Unit 6: Period 6: 1865–1898
Unit 7: Period 7: 1890–1945
Unit 8: Period 8: 1945–1980
Unit 9: Period 9: 1980–Present
Studying for another AP Exam?
Check out our other AP study guides