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The Constitutional Convention: Foundations of American Governance (1787)

The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, aimed to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from 12 states convened, influenced by British principles and Enlightenment thinkers, to create a stronger federal government. Initially intended to revise the Articles, the convention resulted in a new constitution, establishing a federal system that balanced power between national and state governments. Key achievements included the Great Compromise, which formed a bicameral Congress, and the subsequent ratification process that led to the establishment of the U.S. government in 1789.

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The Constitutional Convention: Foundations of American Governance (1787)

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Unit 1: Foundations & Development Creating the Constitution

  2. The Constitutional Convention • Also called the Philadelphia Convention because it was held in Philadelphia(1787) • Purpose = to fix the Articles • Each of 13 states would send delegates to Philadelphia • 55 delegates

  3. The Constitutional Convention • Rhode Island didn’t attend • wanted control of their own state • They were influenced by British principles & thinkers: • Magna Carta, British Parliament, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, The Enlightenment and its thinkers (John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau)

  4. The Constitutional Convention • Delegates kept meetings secret • Didn’t want pressure or public interferrence • We know what happened b/c James Madison kept a diary • sometimes called the Father of the Constitution

  5. The Constitutional Convention • Initial goal was to revise the AoC • Realize wasn’t going to work • Threw out AoC • Decided new constitution needed to be written to strengthen the government

  6. Writing the Constitution • Framers estab sys of govt called federalism • Divides govt’s powers btwn national government and state government • Delegates wanted diff things under federal sys • The Great Compromise: • Congress = 2 houses • Senate - equal representation • House of Representatives - based on state population

  7. Government Becomes Stronger • Constitution gave national govt more power: • Power to coin & print money; set taxes • Raise armed forces • Regulate trade within states and with other countries • A president will carry out nation’s laws • Created Supreme Court to interpret laws

  8. Government Becomes Stronger • Constitution completed September 1787 • 39 of 42 delegates that were present signed the constitution • Needed to be ratified in order to become law • 9 of 13 states needed to ratify/make law • Ratification = approval

  9. Approval of the Constitution • Ppl took sides & tried to persuade others • Federalists – strong supporters of the Constitution & a strong national government • Thought needed to keep country unified • Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison • Created the Federalist Papers to gain support Paper #10 : “A Republic, by which I mean a Government in which the scheme of representation takes place . . . Promises the cure for which we are seeking . . . .” - James Madison

  10. Approval of the Constitution • Antifederalists – people who opposed the Constitution & new system of government • Thought it went against what they fought for in the war • Didn’t think would protect states’ power or personal freedom • Federalists gained support but ppl wanted something that listed their rights • States suggested that a bill of rights be added if Constitution was ratified

  11. Approval of the Constitution • Most states ratified in 1787 & 1788 • NC & RI didn’t approve until after already in effect • New US govt began operating in March 1789 • Washington sworn in as 1st president April 30, 1789

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