1787 Introduction

The Called Meeting of the Thirteen States: 

The Called Meeting of the Thirteen States The State House Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May, 1787

BACKGROUND TO THE CONSTITUTION CONVENTION: 

BACKGROUND TO THE CONSTITUTION CONVENTION After Revolution - Problem - Creating a Government 1st- Articles of Confederation - like 13 separate nations. States - own armies & navies + own money Distrust & Fear Articles - WEAK! - Unsustainable! US might collapse! Britain could regain colonies!

A Meeting: 

A Meeting Meeting - 1787 - 13 states Purpose - revising Articles R.I. - Never came! Distrust & Fear Philadelphia - State House “Independence Hall” May to September Hot and humid! Windows closed to keep details secret

Delegates: 

Delegates 55 Delegates Well educated & professional Most - involved in Government Many wealthy! Most - no faith in common man’s ability to govern himself

Your Convention: 

Your Convention Your convention will be held from January 25, 2011 through the Exam Period for your class. We will meet in Mr. Stapleton’s Room #321

Role Preparation: 

Role Preparation Delegate Handbook Role Sheet - Biography - Start here. Role Sheet - View Point Side - lines up with Agenda. NING – Links Period One NING Period Two NING Period Four NING Period M NING Period Seven NING

Role Preparation: 

Role Preparation Constitution Convention Haiku Pages Constitution Convention NING Instructions Constitution Convention Goals / Links Constitution Convention Expectations On the Way to the Convention…

Tonight’s Homework:: 

Tonight’s Homework: Read over the Delegate Handbook. Define the 19 Vocabulary words on page 12 of your Delegate Handbook. Quiz on Vocab TBA – before we start the convention!

Basic Structure of our Government: 

Basic Structure of our Government

Conflicts that had to be Resolved: 

Conflicts that had to be Resolved How Should the large states be represented in the national legislature? LARGE STATES VIRGINIA PLAN - Edmund Randolph of VA 2 house - National Legislature Representation - Population # of Free inhabitants in a state

Conflicts that had to be Resolved: 

Conflicts that had to be Resolved How Should the large states be represented in the national legislature? SMALL STATES NEW JERSEY PLAN - WILLIAM PATTERSON of N J 1 house - National Legislature EQUAL Representation - EACH STATE - ONE VOTE

Conflicts that had to be Resolved: 

Conflicts that had to be Resolved If we decide to base representation on population -Should slaves be counted as part of the population when determining how many representatives the state gets? & how much tax the state will pay? SOUTHERN STATES Slaves should be counted for determining how many representatives a state gets. BUT NOT when determining how much tax the state pays the federal government.

Conflicts that had to be Resolved: 

Conflicts that had to be Resolved If we decide to base representation on population -Should slaves be counted as part of the population when determining how many representatives the state gets? & how much tax the state will pay? NORTHERN STATES Slaves should NOT be counted for determining how many representatives a state gets. BUT THEY SHOULD COUNT when determining how much tax the state pays the federal government.

Conflicts that had to be Resolved: 

Conflicts that had to be Resolved SHOULD THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE HAVE THE POWER TO REGULATE COMMERCE (TRADE) AND THE SLAVE TRADE? SOUITHERN MERCHANTS The Southern merchants feared that the national legislature might place export duties on their crops, interfere with the slave trade, and make commercial treaties favoring the north.

Conflicts that had to be Resolved: 

Conflicts that had to be Resolved SHOULD THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE HAVE THE POWER TO REGULATE COMMERCE (TRADE) AND THE SLAVE TRADE? NORTHERN MERCHANTS The northern merchants wanted the national legislature to have the power to make tarriffs and regulate trade.

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates George Washington Delegate from Virginia President of the Convention

Secretary of the Convention: 

Secretary of the Convention Major William Jackson Hired recording secretary

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates Edmund Randolph Presenter of the VA Plan for the Large States

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates William Patterson Presenter of the NJ Plan for the Small States

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates Alexander Hamilton Wanted a strong central government headed by a King

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates Roger Sherman Author of the Great Compromise between the Large and Small States.

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates James Madison -”Father of Constitution” Argued vigorously for a strong central government; kept detailed notes of the daily events of the Convention

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Vocal advocate of Southern position on Slavery.

Key Delegates: 

Key Delegates James Wilson Author of the 3/5 compromise dealing with weather slaves should be counted as part of population for purposes of representation and taxation.

The Convention Begins: 

The Convention Begins Delegates sit with state delegations. Washington Pounds the gavel to call to order Secretary reads the roll of delegates

The Convention Begins: 

The Convention Begins President Washington announces the order of business Raise your hand to be recognized by the President. ONLY ONE PERSON SPEAKS AT A TIME.

The Convention Begins: 

The Convention Begins Once recognized - Stand Introduce yourself: “I’m John Rutledge from South Carolina.

The Convention Begins: 

The Convention Begins Motion is made and seconded. Discuss - Topics for Debate - one at a time - in order. When done - Move to vote or “Call the Question” States vote YEA or NAY - One vote per state.

The Convention Begins: 

The Convention Begins One vote per state - decision of the majority of delegates from state - determines state’s vote. If a tie in delegation - state must abstain Secretary will call each state for a vote - One delegate will stand and tell state’s vote. If a tie among states - President Washington decides. Otherwise he does not vote.

The Convention Begins: 

The Convention Begins Once the issue has been resolved. - proceed to next issue. Same procedure. Until all issues are resolved. When done - President will adjourn convention Secretary will draw up final version of Constiution.