Constitutional Convention
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Transcript of Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention
Members 55 delegates White Males Statesmen, lawyers, planters.
bankers, businessmen Most under age 50
Absent John Adams - Ambassador to England Thomas Jefferson – Ambassador to
France Patrick Henry – “smelled a rat” Samuel Adams – Not chosen by state
to be part of the delegation
Famous Members James Madison – “Father of the
Constitution” Alexander Hamilton – Leader of the
Federalist Party George Washington – Chairman of the
convention Benjamin Franklin – Oldest member at
81, was also at the 2nd Continental Congress
Principles of the Constitution Checks and Balances – A political
system in which branches of government have some authority over the actions of the other branches
Limited Government – The idea that government is not all powerful, but can only do what the people allow it to.
Principles of the Constitution Federalism – The division of power
between a central government and statesNational levelState levelLocal level
Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty – The people rule.
The power of the government is based on the consent of the governed.
Separation of powers – The division of the government into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
Agreements and Compromises
All agreed that rights to property should be protected.
Ben Franklin proposed universal suffrage for all males, but most wanted only those with land to vote
Most delegates favored a bicameral legislature
Agreements and Compromises Virginia Plan – Favored by large
statesWritten by James MadisonEndorsed by Alexander HamiltonGovernment with a bicameral legislature
Large house elected by popular vote Smaller house chosen by lager house members from
nominees chosen by state legislatures Number of Representatives based on wealth
Agreements and Compromises New Jersey Plan – Favored by small
statesProposed by William PatersonUnicameral houseEach state one voteDid not require a strong central
government
The Great Compromise Aka: Connecticut Compromise Bicameral house – Benefit all states
One house called Senate Members chosen by the state legislatures Each state gets one vote
One house called House of Representatives
Members chosen by population Number of members based on population
Agreements and Compromises Three-fifths clause
Favors Southern statesAll slaves would be counted in the
census for representation in the House as 3/5ths
Agreements and Compromises Electoral College
People chosen by the state legislaturesVote for president and vice-presidentSupposed to reflect the will of the
people
Agreements and Compromises Slave and trade compromise
Benefits both North and SouthNo taxes on exportsNo interference with the slave trade for
20 years
Agreements and Compromises Amendment compromise
2/3 vote of both houses and ratified by state conventions of ¾ of the states (used for 21st amendment)
Proposed by a national constitutional convention requested by 2/3 state legislatures and ratified by ¾ state legislatures (never used)
Proposed by the national constitutional convention and ratified by ¾ of the specially formed state conventions
Agreements and Compromises Informal Amendments – Broad
language allows for interpretation as things and events change our countryLegislature – “Necessary and Proper”
clause To make all Laws which shall be necessary and
proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Planning ahead
Agreements and CompromisesExecutive
Presidents make executive agreements with other countries.
Not a delegated power Do not have to be ratified by the Senate
Judicial Judicial review – The power of the court to
interpret the Constitution Judicial power to determine if a law is
unconstitutional
Criticism of Founders Founders interested in protecting
property – their own All agreements based on their own
economic welfare Most scholars determine that the
criticism is false because the voting did not follow their own interests but those of their state
Criticism of Constitution Does not protect the rights of the
individual Does not protect states rights Gives a central authority too much
power
The Structure of the Constitution
The Constitution is broken up into three main parts.
What are those parts? The Preamble The Seven Articles The Amendments
What are the first ten called?
The Preamble The Preamble is a basic introduction to
the Constitution, stating the purposes of the newly formed United States government.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty, to ourselves and our Prosperity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
What are the basic purposes of our Government that the Preamble states?
Articles of the Constitution Basically the body of the Constitution. There are 7 numbered sections of the
Constitution called Articles. Article 1 – Legislative Branch Article 2 – Executive Branch Article 3 – Judicial Branch Article 4 – Relations among the States Article 5 – Amending the Constitution Article 6 – National Debts, supremacy of national law,
and oaths of office Article 7 – Ratifying the Constitution
Articles of the Constitution The first 3 Articles deal mainly with the three branches of
the National Government. These articles outline the basic organization and powers of
each branch and the methods by which the members of Congress, the President and Vice President, and federal judges are chosen.
Article IV deals mostly with the role of States in the Union and their relationship with the National Government and with one another.
Article V explains the amendment process. Article VI declares that the Constitution is the nation’s
supreme law. Article VII shows and proves the Constitution’s ratification.
Amendments to the Constitution
There are 27 total amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
The first 10 are called the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment protects the fundamental rights, or essential
freedoms, of the people. (ex. Freedom of speech, religion, etc.) The 2-4 Amendments grew out of the colonists’ struggles against British
tyranny. (right to bear arms, no housing soldiers) Amendments 5-8 concern the rights of citizens who are accused of crimes.
(Right to trial by jury, right to lawyer) The last two amendments limit the powers of the federal government to
those powers granted in the Constitution The amendment process is so difficult that in the 200
years following the Bill of Rights, only 17 more have been ratified