Constitutional ConventionWhy were the people who attended just as

important as the decisions made at the Constitutional Conventions?

Constitutional Convention

•May 25, 1787

•Met in Independence Hall (PA State House)

• Elected Washington president of Convention • Didn’t really like the role

The Delegates

•55 people from 12 states•Rhode Island boycotted

• John Adams & Jefferson – overseas

•Franklin – oldest to attend (81)

•Most were men approx. 42 years old

•Most were lawyers & has served in state gov’t

Father of the Constitution

•Madison (Virginia)

• Spoke often

• Took lots of notes

•Kept a record of the day-to-day happenings in convention

Rule of Secrecy

•No one outside (at the time) knew what was happening

•Representatives had to feel free speaking – kept secret what was going on

•Nothing appeared in a newspaper until after it ended

A Republic

•Most delegates agree it’s the best way to protect rights

•Mostly agreed that only free white males can vote

•Concern over how powerful to make the federal government • Feared it would threaten the rights of states • Feared it would threaten individual freedoms

Procedure:

•One state delegate nominates one of the proposals

• The nomination is seconded by another state

•Nomination is discussed and debated for approx. 5 minutes

•Vote on the proposal

• To pass, a majority must agree

• If it doesn’t pass, nominate a new proposal

The Convention EndsHow could the conflict between Federalists and Anti-Federalists cause more conflict in

the future?

Approving the Constitution

• 9 states needed to ratify in order for it to go into effect

• Madison believed the people should ratify

• Delegates signed Constitution – then it went to special conventions with delegates elected by the people in each state for ratification

Signing the Constitution • September 17,1787 – Constitution became

“complete”

• Franklin didn’t totally support it but wanted other to just sign it • “I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not

the best”

• 13 delegates left before the convention ends –didn’t sign

• 3 didn’t sign because they believed it gave too much power to the federal government or didn’t protect the rights of the people

Constitution Goes to the States

• Once it went to the states, the whole country began arguing over what the convention had already fought about

Federalists

• Supporters of the Constitution

• A strong national government could unite the states

• Led by Jay, Madison, & Hamilton

• Pointed out that the powers of the federal government were strictly limited

• System of 3 branches limited the powers of each branch

Anti-Federalists • Opponents of the Constitution

• Feared Congress would put too many taxes on the country

• Claimed president could rule like a king

• Judicial branch would overpower state courts

• Main complaint – didn’t list the rights of the people