The Constitutional Convention:

1
The Constitutional Convention

• Out with the Old,
• In with the NEW!

2
Why was Constitutional Convention necessary?

• First system of govt Articles of Confederation
  was a failure
• Major structural problems

3
Major Problems of the Articles of Confederation

• State govt had most of the power
• National govt had very little power
• Continental Congress had delegates from each
  state however, each state only got one vote
• 2/3rds majority to pass any laws
• Unanimous vote to amend the Articles
• Nothing was getting done

4
Additional Problems

• No common currency
• Tariffs tax on imported goods
• Made trade between the states more difficult

5
More Problems

• No national army
• No national court system
• No chief executive
• Major boundary disputes between the states

6
States Claims Out West
7
Biggest Problem

• Inability to pay war debts
• The states and the national govt owed huge sum
  of money
• National govt has no taxing authority
• Some states print more paper money to solve this
  problem creates a bigger problem
• Shays Rebellion

8
Constitutional Convention (1787)

• Leaders from 12 of the 13 states gather in
  Philadelphia
• Agree to keep their proceedings an absolute
  secret
• George Washington chosen to lead the Convention
• The Convention lasts throughout the summer of 1787

9
Influenced by the Enlightenment Thinkers

• John Locke
• Consent of the governed
• Natural rights life, liberty, and property
• Govt must protect these rights
• Montesquieu
• Divide govt into three branches
• Legislative make the law
• Executive execute or carry out the law
• Judicial interpret the law
• Voltaire
• Freedom of speech
• Separation of Church State

10
So what did they come up with?

• School House Rocks
• REPUBLIC not a pure democracy
• Ideas from Greek and Roman govts
• Greek words demos kratos power to the
  people

11
Compromise is the Key

• Legislative Branch
• Virginia Plan favored the big states
• New Jersey Plan favored the small states
• The Great Compromise introduced by Connecticut
• Two bodies (bicameral) House of Reps
  (population) and the Senate (2 per state)

12
Legislative Branch Today
13
How many Presidents?

• Council of Presidents?
• One President?
• How should he/she be elected?
• Decision One President elected by an electoral
  college
• Electoral College Video

14
Slavery Representation

• How would slaves count in the population?
• Southern states yes, they should more
  representation in the House of Reps
• Northern states no!
• 3/5ths Compromise only 3/5ths of the slave
  population would count

15
Three Branches

• Legislative Branch (Congress) make the laws
• Executive Branch (President) execute or carry
  out the law
• Judicial Branch (the Courts) interpret the law

16
Will the Constitution be approved?

• 9 out of 13 states must approve it
• Lots of skepticism
• Two main groups
• Federalists support the new constitution
• Anti-Federalists oppose the new constitution