THE CONSTITUTION

When? 1787Where ? Philadelphia Who? 55 “greatest collection of minds is all of US History”

Early attempts to Revise AOC Alexandria Conference 1785 – meeting to

discuss commerce on a national level

Annapolis Conference 1786- states appointed delegates – only 5 showed up- strong discussion that the AOC had to be revised

- Hamilton invited states to send delegates to national convention in Philadelphia

Purpose?? Strengthen the A of C

Every state sent reps except…

Rhode Island !!

Intent of Framers of Constitution Several Theories:a) Framers did what was necessary to deal

with problems plaguing US under AOCb) Framers had their own self- interests-

economic at heart= wanted a govt. that would stimulate trade and prevent “mob rule”

General Goals

Prevent a tyranny of the majority Prevent a tyranny of the minority Create a govt. that could create economic

conditions for long term and short term economic development

Formulate and create an effective foreign policy

Conflicts Bankers vs. debtors

Northern vs. Southern economic interests

Supporters of a strong central government – Federalists ( coastal and urban areas, merchants, financiers, planters- not all upper class

Who? Washington, Hamilton, Madison and Franklin

Supporters of individual and states’ rights – Anti- Federalists- mainly backcountry areas, debtors, people philosophically against a strong central government- we need a Bill of Rights –God? “federal stronghold”

Who? John Hancock, Patrick Henry and George Mason

What about representation?a) Virginia Plan - lower house of Congress elected by the

people - lower house would elect members of an

upper house - both houses would elect a chief executive/

President – who could serve one term - a judiciary would be established

The Virginia Plan gave more power to the central ( federal) govt. and kept some ideas of AOC

The New Jersey Plan- Put forward by the smaller states- One house legislature ( unicameral) - Each state receives one vote- A chief executive with no veto power

Slave states ( who wanted to include slaves in any population count) versus non- slaves states – who did not want slaves counted

Commerce Compromise The South agreed to let federal ( central govt)

control over foreign and interstate trade The importation of slaves would be permitted

until 1808

The Great Compromise

A state’s representation in the House of Representatives was based on population

The state’s representation in the Senate would be equal- two each state

All money bills would originate in the House

The Three- fifths Compromise Three fifths of a state’s slave population

would be counted for purposes of representation and taxes

A Fugitive Slave Law required that runaway slaves who escaped to free states must be returned to their owners

ANOTHER COMPROMISE

ELECTIONOF THE PRESIDENT President elected “ indirectly”By the Electoral College- Popular vote winner in each state would “take

all the electoral votes” for that state- -electoral votes are based on the number of

members in Congress per each state- 270 is majority ( today) - If no candidate has majority- House of Rep

chooses – one vote per state ( just twice)

Power of the chief executive /President Power of the President Checked by elections every 4 years Possible impeachment Congress can override presidential veto

AND

BY 1788 NINE OF 13 HAD RATIFIED 1789 WASHINGTON=elected unanimously THE CONSTITUTION IS THE WORLD’S

OLDEST LIVING WRITTEN CONSTITUTION LIVING? What does “ living” mean?