the c onstitutional convention
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The Constitutional Convention
1787
Why did was there a convention?After Shay’s Rebellion
the delegates realized the Articles of Confederation were not working
At first just wanted to fix the Articles
Realized would need to give more power to a national government
Decided to write a Constitution
Terms to KnowDelegate: person
picked to represent youFramer: A delegate at
the Constitution Convention who helped with the Constitution
Founder: A Delegate who helped with the Revolutionary War
Ratification: formal approval of the Constitution
Independence Hall in Philadelphia
Who were the Framers?George Washington
James Madison
After Revolutionary War wanted to retire back to Virginia
Went to the Convention so others would also go
Became the President of the Convention
Wanted everyone to share their opinions
Wanted a strong national government
From Virginia Wanted a Strong National
Government Wrote the Virginia Plan Known as the “Father of the
Constitution” because most of his ideas were used
Secretly wrote notes about the convention
Representative Dem0cracy
Who were the Framers?Alexander Hamilton Ben Franklin
Wanted a strong national government
Became angry and left convention early
Suggested a King for the new leader & people were angry
Will later set up our economic system
From PennsylvaniaOldest delegate at the
conventionRespected & helps
negotiate the Great Compromise
Wants a strong national government
Who were the Framers?George Mason Roger Sherman
From VirginiaDoes not agree with a
strong national government
Wants a list of rights that will protect the rights of the people called a Bill of Rights
From ConnecticutCame up with the
Connecticut Plan which became the Great Compromise
Not at the ConventionPatrick Henry Thomas Jefferson
A FounderDuring Revolution said
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”
Did not go to the convention because he “smelled a rat”
He feared a strong national government
From VirginiaAgreed with a strong
national governmentWas in France as an
ambassador so was not at the convention
It’s a Secret!Why?1. Don’t want the
delegates to be influenced by special interests of the people
2. Want an open discussion to get more ideas
3. Afraid the people will not agree with it
Issue #1Small States Big States
What did they want?Just wanted to fix the
Articles of Confederation because each state only had one vote
Equal Representation: Each state has same number of votes regardless of size
Afraid big states would become too powerful
What did they want?Proportional
Representation: number of votes should be determined by population
Bigger states would have more votes
Solution:Legislative Branch
would have two houses
1. House of Representatives: Proportional Representation by population
2. The Senate: Equal Representation-every state has two Senators
• Proportional Representation
• Deals with Government Spending & Taxes
HOR
• Equal Representation
• Every State has 2 Senators
Senate
Congress
Legislative Branch
Issue #2:Northern States Southern States
Wanted to end slave trade
Did not want slaves to count as population for representation
Wanted tariffs on foreign trade
Tariff: tax on trade
Did not want to abolish slavery
Abolish: to rid of or endWanted run away slaves
returnedWanted slaves to count
toward population so have more representatives
Did not want tariffs on trade goodsWhy is this important?
Solution:Northern States
Southern States
If Southern states counted slaves toward population they had to pay more tax
Congress got the power to control trade which helped Northern states
Slave Trade could not end until 1808
Three-fifths Clause: each Slave would count as 3/5 of a person for representation
Fugitive Slave Clause: run away slaves must be returned
Issue #3: Who Has More Power?National Government State GovernmentFederalists: want a
strong national government
Afraid a Bill of Rights would limit the rights of citizens
Feel need a stronger government to unify the states
Anti-Federalists: want a weak national government
Want a Bill of Rights to guarantee citizens’ rights
Afraid of another kingThe Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton & John Jay to encourage support for a
strong national government.
Solutions:What the National
Government Can Do:Apportioned: to divide
and assignEx: Taxes will be
apportioned among the states
Enumerated Powers: list of jobs given to Congress specifically listed in the Constitution
Ex: The Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress
Necessary & Proper Clause: Congress can make laws that are needed to carry out their powers
Supremacy Clause: the Constitution is the highest law of the land & must be followed by everyone (including the states & courts)
Solutions:What the National
Gov. Can’t Do:Bills of Attainder:
Punishing someone for a crime without a trial
Ex Post Facto: (After the Fact)
Can’t punish someone for a crime if it wasn’t a crime when they committed it
Writ of Habeas Corpus: can not hold a prisoner unless have a reason to put them in jail
Terms to Know:National Government +
State Government= Federal System
Treason: aiding the enemy during wartime; betraying your country
The only crime listed in the Constitution
Separated Powers: Each branch has different jobs
Balance of Powers: no one branch can become too powerful over the other
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