2-4-13

What is Compromise? Is compromise necessary? When have you compromised? Why did you compromise?

Chap 2.4 Creating the Constitution

Met in Philadelphia May 25, 1787George Washington elected president of the convention

Worked in SecretFramers new generation of American politicsChanging DirectionOriginal goal improve the Articles of ConfederationMay 30, 5 days after starting, adopted resolution to create a new government.

Compromise Needed to Create the Constitution

Compromise important part of government

13 States very different in geography and economic situations

Wide differences of opinion among delegates, but delegates agreed on basic fundamental issues

Need of new national government, federal in nature

Concepts of Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances

Key Compromises

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

Two Plans Proposed for New Government

Virginia Plan Large States

Number of Houses: 3 2 – Bicameral Branches

of Representation:

Government By size or wealth

Stronger Central Government

New Jersey Plan Small States

Number of Houses: 1 – Unicameral

Representation: Equal for all states

Weak Central Government

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Problem? Representation in Congress

Proposals Small States wanted Equal Representation Large States wanted by Population or

Wealth Solution?

House of Representatives represented by Population as desired by Large States

Senate has Equal Representation as desired by Small States

Three Fifths Compromise

Problem? Should Slaves be counted in population?

Proposals Slave-holding States wanted to count them Non Slave-holding States did not

Solution? Count all Free Persons. Count three of every five Slaves (all other

persons). Slaves counted for representation (South wanted),

but also for taxation (North wanted). Eliminated in the 13th amendment 1865.

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

Problem? New Government needed to regulate trade – major

problem with Articles of Confederation. Southern States concerns:• New Government may be funded by taxing exports

(tobacco was biggest export at the time).• New Government would interfere with Slave Trade.

Proposals Ban Government’s ability to tax exports. Forbid any discussion about the Slave trade in

Congress. Solution?

Both proposals were agreed to. Ban on discussion or legislation of slave trade for 20

years.

2-5-13

What are the Federalist papers?

Are they relevant today?

Is the Constitution Relevant today?

Chap 2.5 Ratifying the Constitution

Convention completed work on September 17, 1787 (p. 54).

Second Continental Congress accepted work of the Convention.

Forwarded the proposed Constitution to the States of their vote.

Needed approval of 9 states to ratify. Nine states approved by June 1788,

but neither VA or NY had ratified it.

Arguments For and Against

Federalists Supported

Ratification Favored

stronger national government

Argued the weaknesses of present government

Later became 1st political party in US

Anti-Federalists Against Ratification Favored weaker

national government, stronger state government

Concern – protection of personal liberties

Insisted on a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution

The Federalist Papers

Series of 85 political papers written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison Supported the ratification of the

Constitution Hamilton wrote 51, Madison wrote 26,

Jay wrote 5 Hamilton Madison co-wrote 3 Appeared in newspapers where

ratification was in doubt, New York and Virginia

Brutus and Cato, among others, versus Publius

The Anti Federalist Papers

• A collection of articles, written in opposition to the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution. • Unlike the Federalist Papers written in support of the Constitution, the authors of these articles, mostly operating under pseudonyms, were not engaged in a strictly organized project.

Ratification and New Beginning

New York Becomes 11th state to ratify July 26,1788

Convinced by the arguments in the “Federalist Papers” Collection of arguments for the new government

written by Madison, Hamilton and John Jay Persuasive to the benefits of the proposed

government Argued the weakness of present government

New Government convened March 4, 1789 George Washington unanimously elected

First President.