iv.the constitutional convention may 25, 1787 to sept. 17, 1787 a. who attended 1. 55 delegates from...
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IV. The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 to Sept. 17, 1787
A. Who attended
1. 55 delegates from 12 states
a. all whiteb. All malec. Average age—42d. ¾ of the delegates had
beenmembers of the Confederation
Congresse. For the most part all were
rich f. 40 % served in war
B.Major Players
1. George Washington 1732-1799
9. Alexander Hamilton
1755-1804
V. The Conflict over Representation or in other words, how to make a fair Congress
A.Conflict between Big States and Small States
1. Small states were afraid Big states would control the new Congress. Small states wanted equal representation.
a. The New Jersey Plan—Small states wanted
one house where each state had one vote.
2. Big States thought it unfair that small states had so much power. Big states wanted proportional representation.
a. The Virginia Plan—Big states wanted two houses where representation was determined by population..
B.The Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)
1. Congress would have two houses. Bills had to pass both houses to become law
a. The House of Representatives (Lower House)
i. Elected by the people
ii. Based on proportional representation
iii. The House of Representatives had sole authority to start tax or spending laws.
b. The Senate (Upper House)
i. Appointed by the states (then)
ii. Equal representation—two senators for each state
iii. The Senate would confirm all judges and ambassadors and
approve treaties
VI Passing the Constitution
A. State Conventions
1. Madison’s Plan:
a. Each State had to approve the Constitution by calling a state wide
convention. Madison believed that this would allow the most people to vote on the Constitution. The State
legislatures would not vote on the Constitution
b. 9 out of 13 states had to approve the Constitution before it became
law.
B. Anti-Federalists vs. Federalists 1787 – 1788
1. Republican Government only works in small communities. Our Nation is too big for it to work.
1. It will work because our leaders have Civic Virtue
2. National Government would
have too much power 2. That Power is necessary. It is controlled by Separation of powers and Checks and balances.
3. The Necessary and Proper Clause and the General Welfare Clause are too broad.
3. Congress has to have this power. It is controlled by Checks and balances
4. There is too much power in the Presidency. It could become a monarchy
4. No it won’t. The presidents power is controlled by checks and balances, impeachment, and civic virtue.
5. There is no Bill of Rights 5. If you list rights, people will think that you only have those rights.
Anti-Federalists Federalists
VII.Political parties
A. The Framers’ Opinion
1. They believed Political parties or factions were dangerous.
2. Madison believed the Constitution could control Political Parties
B. The Birth of Political parties.
Hamilton (Treasury) Jefferson (State)
1. Wanted a strong National Government
1.Wanted a weak National Government
2. Wanted Industry 2. Wanted farming
3. Wanted to interpret the Constitution loosely
3. Wanted to interpret the Constitution strictly
4. Read the “necessary and Proper” clause to allow for a National Bank
4. Read the “Necessary and Proper “clause to NOT allow a National Bank
5. Supported England 5. Supported France
Hamilton Jefferson