S
Chapter 2Origins of American
GovernmentSections 4 & 5
The Constitutional Convention andRatification and the Bill of Rights
Drafting a New Constitution
The Convention Meets
May 25, 1787
12 of 13 states (Rhode Island)
Framework for new govt.
Meetings held secretly
Framers of the Constitution
55 Delegates, framers
1/3 were army veterans
8 signed Declaration of Independence
Washington was President of convention
James Madison
Framers of the Constituions
Delegate Key Role and Contributions
Ben Franklin, PA 81, oldest and most admired delegate
Alexander Hamilton, NY Federalist Papers, strong supporter of constitution
James Madison, VA Virginia Plan, strong national govt.
William Redmund, NJ New Jersey Plan, one house legislature and equal state representation
Edmund Randolph, VA Virginia Plan, 3 branches, representation based on population or wealth
Roger Sherman, CT Great Compromise, equal representation in Senate and representation based on population in the House
Rival Plans
Virginia Plan
3 Branches of central govt.
Strong national government
Bicameral legislature
New Jersey Plan
Strong national government
3 branches of central government
Unicameral legislature
Equal representation among states
Conflict and CompromiseThe Great
Compromise
June 30, 1787
Elements of VA and NJ plan
Bicameral legislature Lower house based on
state’s population and elected directly by the people
Upper house based on 2 members per state and was selected by state legislatures
Compromise over Slavery
Key Points: Does slave population count towards representation?
Three-fifths Compromise:3/5 of slave population counted
Protected slave trade for 20 more years
Conflict and Compromise
Presidential Election Directly elect or state
legislatures
Compromise: State elects
State electors = number of people in both houses of Congress
Popular vote
No winner house of representatives would choose
Finalizing the Constitution
Debated issues, settled disputes, and key decisions in 1787
Some delegates would not sign without a Bill of Rights
39 people from 12 states signed the constitution
Adjourned September 17, 1787
Ratification and the Bill of Rights
Heated debates between Federalists and Antifederalists
Federalists supported the constitution
Antifederalists v Federalists Drastic changes in government New national government would reduce state
powers and restructure congress Outlined ratification 9 of 13
Antifederalists V Federalists
Antifederalists
Opposed constitution
Feared strong national government
Small farmers
Bill of Rights is necessary
Federalists
Supported constitution
Strong national government
Larger farmers, merchants, and artisans
Bill of Rights unnecessary
The Federalist Papers
Best Commentary
Circulated through states
American Political Theory
Federalist Papers
Rebuttal Essays
Antifederalist released
Protecting liberty
Writing Team
Hamilton, Madison, Jay
Publius
85 Essays total
Defended Constitution
10 and 51 influence different factions
Limiting national authority, preserve liberty
The Fight for Ratification
Winning Over the States
Federalist better prepared
Target small states
Delaware first to ratify
Bill of Rights
All 13 states ratified
Bill of Rights
Bill of rights is priority
10 amendments made up the Bill of Rights
Freedom of speech, press religion, due process, right to fair trial, trial by jury
Vocabulary
Framers Delegates to the constitutional convention
Virginia Plan A proposed plan for government that called for a strong central government divided into three branches, bicameral legislature, and representation based on the state population
New Jersey Plan Another proposed plan for government that called for a strong central government divided into three branches, with a unicameral legislature and 1 vote per state
Great Compromise Plan of the government that included a bicameral legislature in which membership in one house would be based on state population and membership in the other would be one per state
Vocabulary
Three-fifths Compromise The resolution to count enslaved people as part of the population of a state, but only 3/5 of the people
Federalists Supporters of the constitution
Antifederalists Opponents of the constitution
Publius The pen name used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to defend the constitution
Federalist Papers Essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to defend the constitution
Bill of Rights A series of 10 amendments to the constitution ratified by the states that protect such rights as freedom of speech, press, and religion