Unit Two: Lesson Nine

1. Unit Two: Lesson Nine How was the Philadelphia Convention Organized?

2. Who Attended the Philadelphia Convention? • 55 Delegates attended what would later be known as the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION • Delegates were appointed by their state legislatures (each state one vote) • 22-81 years old • ¾ had served in Congress • Most were prominent in their states • Some had played a big role in the Revolution • Some were wealthy but most were not

3. What important Founders DID NOT attend the Convention? • Thomas Jefferson * John Hancock • John Adams * Samuel Adams • Patrick Henry * Richard Henry Lee • Some stayed away because they feared what a stronger central government would mean to this new young nation • Some were away on assignment for their country • Rhode Island refused to attend because many leaders were not there & because they believed, as a very small state, their voice would be overlooked • Rhode Island believed that, by not attending, they could block any action because all had to agree on any changes

4. What rules did the Delegates adopt for the Convention? • George Washington elected president of the Convention • Rules were drawn up for the meeting • Delegates from at least 7 states had to be present for the convention to do official business (quorum) • When speaking, a delegate had to address the president. No one else could speak, pass notes, hold conversations with others, or read anything • A delegate could not speak more than twice on the same question • Committees would be appointed as needed • Any decision made could be revisited. The entire document would be voted on at the end. Until then, nothing was final • The proceedings were to remain SECRET. They could take notes but not share them with anyone outside the Convention for 20 years. (James Madison credited with taking great notes which give us insight into what actually occurred behind closed doors)

5. Main Purpose for the Constitutional Convention • “FIX” the Articles of Confederation • Create a totally new form of government • Favoring the Larger States • Favoring the Smaller States

6. What rules did the Delegates adopt for the Convention? • 4 critical committees created to suggest solutions to difficult issues • 1. Committee to decide representation in Congress • 2. Committee on writing the Constitution, including an Executive and Judicial Branch • 3. Committee on how to elect a national president • 4. Committee on Style to prepare the final language of the document

7. The Virginia Plan • Many delegates came to the Convention not to fix the Articles of Confederation but to create a new government with a stronger central government • Virginia (James Madison) put forth a plan based around a STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT • Each person would be under the authority of 2 governments, federal and state. • This type of system is a FEDERAL SYSTEM

8. The Virginia Plan • 3 branches of the government • Legislature most powerful because it would select those to serve in the Executive and Judicial branches • Congress would be bicameral • HofR elected by the people directly • Senate chosen by HorR based on list nominated by the state legislatures. This would have an elite class with power • Representation based on population or contribution • Congress had power to make laws that states could not make ie-trade between states • Congress would have the power to strike down state laws that violate the Constitution or go against national interests very controversial as many still believed states were sovereign • Congress has power to call up the military against a state, if necessary, to enforce laws passed by Congress

9. Review • Describe the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. What noted political leaders attended? Which were absent and why? • Why did Rhode Island refuse to participate in the Philadelphia Convention? • How did the Virginia Plan propose to change the structure and powers of the national government?