The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A New Government

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The Constitutional Convention of 1787 A New
Government
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A New Government (Post War - 1787)

• Articles of Confederation ... the First
  Constitution
• Articles created a Confederation of States... a
  weak alliance of states. Reasons???

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Problems with the Confederation

• Congress had no authority to make taxes or
  tariffs NO
• No National , only State
• Very Little Army (700 men)
• No Supreme Court System
• Major Changes to Articles required all 13 states
  approval

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Land Expansion

• Ordinance of 1785
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Failure of the Confederation
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Leading up to Convention

• Shays Rebellion (1786)
• Failure of Articles
• Annapolis Convention (1786)

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Philadelphia Convention

• Purpose (Extra-Legal)
• Delegates
• Ben Franklin, G. Washington
• NOT Present T. Jefferson, J.
  Adams, P. Henry

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• Preliminary Decisions
• James Madison...Father

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Virginia Plan

• 3 Branches
• Bicameral Legislature
• Checks and Balances

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Problems for Discussion

• Democracy
• LARGE v. small States
• Slavery
• Power of President

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• The New Jersey Plan
• The Great Compromise
• The 3/5-ths Compromise
• Debate over the President

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• Judicial Branch
• National Supremacy Clause
• Elastic Clause... necessary and proper
• Bill of Rights...George Mason (VA)

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Ratification

• Process
• Federalists v. Antifederalists
• Feds- J. Madison, A. Hamilton
• AntiFeds- G. Mason, P. Henry
• The Federalist Papers
• Votes (1788) and Bill of Rights (1791)

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Independence Hall
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Interpretations of Framers

• George Bancroft
• Charles A. Beard
• An Economic Interpretation of the American
  Constitution

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United States
Constitution
A Living Document