60 likes | 73 Vues
In May 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened to revise the Articles of Confederation. Learn about the key decisions, compromises, and the debate between Federalists and Antifederalists. Witness the birth of the U.S. Constitution and the addition of the Bill of Rights. Dive into this pivotal moment in American history!
E N D
The Constitutional Convention • 1. May 1787- 55 delegates from each state (except Rhode Island) met to change the Articles of Confederation • 2. The delegates were all well educated and had political experience • 3. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were in Europe representing the U.S. gov’t while Patrick Henry opposed the convention • 4. George Washington was selected to guide the convention
The First Decisions • 5. Key Decisions: • Each state has 1 vote • A simple majority decides (7 states) • 6. Convention was confidential despite the summer heat • 7. Only a notebook kept by James Madison (VA) details the convention 8. The delegates were suppose to revise the Articles of Confederation 9. Greater changes needed to be made in order to deal with the nation’s many new problems 10. Constitutional Convention= Philadelphia meeting that produced a brand new Constitution or plan of gov’t for the U.S.
Compromising for a Constitution • 11. Virginia Plan-James Madison- contained president, courts, and congress (2 houses)-representation was based on population • 12. New Jersey Plan- William Patterson- based off of the Articles- 1 legislature, 1 vote per state, but Congress could tax and regulate trade– no president instead strong committee for laws • 13. The Great Compromise- Roger Sherman- Congress shall have 2 houses—House of Reps based on population and Senate each state gets 2 representatives • 14. Three-Fifths Compromise- every 5 enslaved persons= three free persons for purposes of representation in Congress • 15. North and South states compromised and allowed the gov’t to regulate trade between states as well as other countries • 16. Electoral College- group of electors or delegates who selected the president and vice president
Federalists v. Antifederalists Federalists View Anti-Federalists View • Federalists- Americans who supported the new proposed Constitution • Federalism- a form of gov’t in which power is divided between the national gov’t and the states • Believed federal law should be supreme law over states • Federalist Papers- essays written by Federalists in support of the Constitution • Anti-Federalists- Americans who opposed the new proposed Constitution • Believed the new constitution destroyed the rights won during the American Revolution • Favored wealthy over common people • Weakness: No bill of rights to protect individual freedoms
Launching a New Nation • 17. The federalists agreed to add the Bill of Rights after the Constitution was ratified • 18. June 1788- Constitution took effect and by 1790 all 13 states ratified it-(Rhode Island was the last)