Constitutional Convention Project

Matthew Van Zant

Economic Conditions post American Revolutionary War

Lead to inflation! America lost primary trading partner

And the restrictions! It tested the colonies economy.

Unemployment! Pirate attacks

From a lack of protection from British navy. Fragile economy become instable!

Economic effects continued. . .

Property rights were more within reach of women.

Some slaves were freed, because they participated in the war.

Colonists could finally expand as they pleased.

Shays’ Rebellion.

Movement by New England farmers desperate to be paid for the service in the Revolutionary War. Farmer Daniel Shays took charge of the group and led an attack on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, in January 1787.

5 Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Couldn’t levy taxes. Couldn’t raise troops, but could declare war. Unanimous agreement!

For instance, Rhode Island kept preventing taxes to raise revenue.

Could not regulate commerce. Inflation.

Where! When! Purpose of. . .The Constitutional Convention

The convention was held at Philadelphia, PA. It was held September, 17th, 1787. The Constitutional Convention was called because

the federal government established by the Articles of Confederation was considered to be too weak to effectively deal with the young nation's issues. Officially, the purpose of the convention was to revise the Articles of Confederation. Many feel that this was a drastic understatement, and that the real goal of many of its key proponents was to replace the Articles of Confederation and create a strong federal government.

George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

George Washington represented Virginia. "having conducted these States to independence and peace, he now appears to assist in framing a Government to make the People happy. Like Gustavus Vasa, he made be said to be the deliverer of his Country."

Benjamin Franklin represented Pennsylvania. “On June 28 when the Convention was in disarray he suggested that "hence forth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business." He is also known for his Rising Sun speech delivered on September 17.”

George Mason and Alexander Hamilton

George Mason represented Virginia. “He argued that the Constitution inadequately represented the interests of the people and the States and that the new government will "produce a monarchy, or a corrupt, tyrannical aristocracy.””

Alexander Hamilton represented New York. “Upon his return he remained present through the signing of the Constitution. His most important contribution was the introduction and defense of the Hamilton plan on June 18, 1787, that argued neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan were adequate to the task at hand.”

Charles Pinckney and Nicholas Gilman

Charles Pinckney represented South Carolina. “He is best known for his proslavery position, as well as a strong proponent of a Bill of Rights.”

Nicholas Gilman represented New Hampshire. "Mr. Gilman is modest, gentile and sensible. There is nothing brilliant or striking in his character, but there is something respectable and worthy in the Man."

Hugh Williamson

Hugh Williamson represented North Carolina. “Arrived May 25, was present through the signing of the Constitution. His most important role at the Convention was his guidance of North Carolina to support the Connecticut Compromise. William Pierce stated that "Mr. Williamson is a Gentleman of education and talents.””

Delegate. Contribution.John Blair “Staunch ally of James Madison.”

Represented Virginia.

Alexander Hamilton “…Hamilton plan on June 18, 1787, that argued neither the Virginia Plan nor the New Jersey Plan were adequate to the task at hand.” Represented New York.

Luther Martin “Opposition to a strong central government, and his denunciation of any protection of the presence of slavery.” Represented Maryland.

Thomas Mifflin He was present except for a two week period in early September through the signing of the Constitution. Represented Pennsylvania.

Delegates Contributions

Benjamin Franklin Represented Pennsylvania. Kept

order in the Convention. “hence forth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”

Abraham Baldwin Represented Georgia. “He rarely spoke at Convention but on July 2, voted for a proposition which created the Committee that drafted the Connecticut Compromise.”

George Washington Represented Virginia. “He spoke only once near the end of the deliberations, but the record suggests that he had a profound influence on the scope and direction of the discussions. “

Virginia Plan

Branches Three - legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislature was more powerful, as it chose people to serve in the executive and judicial

branches.

Legislature Two houses (bicameral). The House of Representatives was elected by the people and the Senate was elected by the state legislatures. Both were represented proportionally.

Other Powers The legislature could regulate interstate trade, strike down laws deemed unconstitutional and use armed forces to enforce laws.

New Jersey Plan

Branches. Three - legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislature appoints people to serve in the executive branch, and the executive branch selects the justices of the Supreme

Court.

Legislature One house (unicameral). States would be represented equally, so all states had the same power.

Other Powers The national government could levy taxes and import duties, regulate trade, and state laws would be subordinate to laws passed by the national legislature.

Differences between the plans!

Virginia’s plan was bicameral. Both houses depended on population for representation.

New Jersey’s plan was unicameral. One house, equal representation across all colonies.

“The legislature appoints people to serve in the executive branch, and the executive branch selects the justices of the Supreme Court” in the New Jersey Plan.

Differences continued! “The legislature was more

powerful, as it chose people to serve in the executive and judicial branches” in the Virginia plan.

“The legislature could regulate interstate trade, strike down laws deemed unconstitutional and use armed forces to enforce laws” in the Virginia plan.

“The national government could levy taxes and import duties, regulate trade, and state laws would be subordinate to laws passed by the national legislature” in the New Jersey plan.

3/5ths Compromise

The 3/5ths compromise is when a state counts slaves as three fifths of a person that needs to be represented. For every five slaves, a state got three representatives. This is important because the southern colonies wanted slaves to count as “people” when population came into play into government. The southern colonies were more agriculturally based, therefore they had more slaves to work their fields.

What I would declare myself if I was there back then. . .

I would most likely call myself a Federalist. They were for the Constitution and the

Constitution seems like a very good method of government to me.

The anti-federalists were also against the Industrial Revolution (At least Thomas Jefferson was), and I enjoy the technology of today. Without the revolution, I might still have to work on a farm, an idea I don’t really like.

Sources. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/ http://revolutionarywar2.tripod.com/id6.html http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/shayssrebelliondef.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/11572/creation/framing/va_nj_plans.html http://www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/curriculum/english/GCSE/Y11/

Paper%202%20English/Cluster%201/Limbo/Slaves%20in%20chains.jpg

http://www.qsl.net/w5www/dollarbill.jpg http://hilariousduck.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/ben_franklin.jpg http://datingjesus.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/v34.jpg http://www.wtv-zone.com/Mary/GRAPHICS3/GRAPHICS2/

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