The Summer of 1787:

Inside the Constitutional

Convention

Agenda

• The Purpose• The Setting• The Delegates• Origins of the

Constitution• The Debates /

Compromises• The Outcomes• Mrs. K in Philly

Why they came…

• Second attempt at revising the Articles of Confederation ( 1st - Annapolis – 1786)– States refused to comply with pieces of the

Articles of Confederation- State legislatures dominated by dominant,

unjust, and overbearing majorities– Union Govt. hands tied (according to Articles,

religion and commerce (trade) were left to states, Feds could not: collect taxes, defend country, pay public debt)

The Setting - Philadelphia

• Hot and Muggy Summer

• Largest and most diverse city in the US (43,000 people)

• Living conditions• Independence Hall

– Windows, doors, and streets

Independence Hall 1787

The Delegates

Delegate Facts:

• 74 delegates appointed to come

• 55 attended throughout the summer

• Age range – 26 – 81Jonathon Dayton 26Ben Franklin 81

• Strong Credentials:– Lawyers, congress,

war heroes

Important MIA’S– RHODE ISLAND– Patrick Henry– Thomas Jefferson– John Adams– Samuel Adams

Henry

Jefferson

J. Adams

S. Adams

George Washington

• Resistant to attend Convention

• President of the Convention

• Interesting Personality

• Importance of his presence

James Madison (Jemmy)

• “The Early Bird”• Personality• Devoted his life to

public service• Written accounts• Major contributions

“Father of the Constitution”

• Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton

• Personality• Absences from the

convention• Committee of Style• Played a huge role in

the ratification process by the states

• “Federalist Papers”

Benjamin Franklin

• Most influential citizen of Philadelphia

• International assignments “A citizen around the world”

• Wealthy, had visions• Gave long winded,

dramatic speeches

Gouverneur Morris

• Personality and appearance

• The “Speechmaker” (173 total!)

• Contributions to the convention

• Committee of Style

Unsung Heroes

• Edmund Randolf– Presented the Virginia

Plan which in turn gave us 3 branches of Govt. with Checks and Balances.

– Committee of Detail

• Oliver Elsworth– The Great

Compromise suggested on July 12

– Loosened the deadlock of the issues so they could continue

Origins of the Constitution

Origins - Explained

• Ancient Athens- direct Democracy, limited to men

• Magna Carta- 1215 – Rights – jury trial, protection of property, limits on taxes, some religious freedom (at the time they were for the rich, here they are for ALL)

• English Bill of Rights- 1688 Guaranteed rights – laws pass through elected officials, right to petition govt, army in peace time, bear arms, cruel & unjust punishment

• Mayflower Compact- 1620 – Government would make “Just Laws and Equal” with consent of colonists

• John Locke- 1632-1704 – “Inalienable Rights” – life,

liberty, property. Govt. is there to protect these rights. If they don’t do this, people then had the right to replace it.

Arguments and Compromises

• Despite the greatness in leadership, the crafting of a new constitution proved a long and difficult task. Regional, political and economic differences threatened to jeopardize the process. It was only by carefully crafted compromise that a final document was achieved.

Why was it so hard???

The Great Compromise

One of the first issues to be resolved was representation to the new government. The Articles of Confederation had allowed each state equal representation and equal say, despite size or population and this did not sit well with the largest states (Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania). The smaller states feared losing say in the federal government and so continued to support equality in representation.

Their Feelings on Slavery

• Delegates saw slavery as a “necessary evil”

• 35 of 55 delegates owned slaves

• Some states in the process of “phasing out” slavery

• The word “SLAVERY” doesn’t appear in the constitution

• 3 issues about Slavery that were dealt with at the convention:– 3/5 Compromise – not

about humanity, more about taxable property and representation

– Slave Trade – 2 states didn’t want to eliminate it (SC and GA)

– Article IV, Sec. 2 – Fugitive Slave Clause. Northern states now (re)involved in slavery without having slavery itself

3/5 Compromise

A fundamental economic and social division began to erupt over the issue of slavery. The southern, agriculturally based states relied heavily on slavery and slaves constituted a significant portion of their populations. The northern states opposed counting slaves for representation in government because they were not citizens and their population could easily be increased, tipping control of the federal legislature to the southern states.

The Trade (Commerce) Compromise

• Again a regional disagreement arose, in this case over the issue of trade and its regulation. The northern, more industrial states saw the regulation of trade by the federal government as essential to the smooth working of a national economy. The southern states feared regulation of trade would not only threaten the sale of slaves, but also the essential export of their agricultural products (chiefly cotton and tobacco).

1787 – 1807 More slave imported than all of the years before combined!

The Final Vote• Ben Franklin - "There are

several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. ... I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. ... It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies..."

•39 For , 3 Against

(Edmond Randolf, George Mason, Elbridge Gerry)

Ratifications

• Immediately following the Constitutional Convention the delegates to Philadelphia brought the newly crafted Constitution to their home states for ratification (or approval). Most states held special ratification conventions, with elected officials representing counties or regions throughout the state.

Mrs. K in Philly…

“Signers Hall”

– National Constitution Center

Independence Hall

Elfreth’s Alley

Washington Square

• Washington’s Square was created to honor the unknown soldiers who died under the command of Washington during the Rev. War.

• Ind. Hall was used as British headquarters and hospital for wounded Americans

Christ Church

Founded in 1695 by William Penn’s Charter, this is where the Episcopal Church was born.

Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and John Adams attended services here.

Ben Franklin’s CityBen Franklin was the first post master in the US. It is the only post office that doesn’t fly an American Flag

Ben Franklin was in rough shape during the convention, so he was carried to and from the meetings everyday by prisoners in this...

This is Franklin’s printing office. He published newspapers and pamphlets.

History all around…

The Betsy Ross Home

Thomas Jefferson and I

The Free Quakers

Credits

• NEH and the National Constitution Center• Books –

– Miracle at Philadelphia – Catherine Drinker Brown– The American Revolution – Gordon S. Wood

• Websites – – http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/c

onstitution– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Convention– http://www.jmu.edu/madison/gpos225-madison2/adopt.htm– http://regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/con

vention.htm– http://www.sullivan-county.com/bush/constitution.htm– http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/6.htm