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Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention. 1787. Shay's Rebellion- January 1787. Soldiers forcibly prevent courts in western Mass. From sitting, fearful of losing their property to creditors/tax collectors Mass. Governor asks Continental Congress to send troops to suppress rebellion

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Constitutional Convention

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  1. Constitutional Convention 1787

  2. Shay's Rebellion- January 1787 • Soldiers forcibly prevent courts in western Mass. From sitting, fearful of losing their property to creditors/tax collectors • Mass. Governor asks Continental Congress to send troops to suppress rebellion -They can’t raise money or manpower • Didn’t have state militia; had to raise funds for volunteer army • Inspired delegates to attend convention who otherwise wouldn’t have gone

  3. The Constitutional Convention • Convention set for May 1787 in Philadelphia • Advertised as a revising of the AoC, but ended with an entirely new Constitution • Had state constitutions as models • Pennsylvania- radically democratic, unicameral legislature, no governor (example of tyranny by concentrating powers- disenfranchised Quakers) • Massachusetts – less democratic, weak, separation of powers, governor elected, judges serve for life, officials must swear they are Christian, citizen=property owner

  4. The Constitutional Convention • The Framers • 55 delegates • 74 invited, 55 attended • Rhode Island refused to send any delegates • Mostly young but experienced • 8 signers of the Declaration • 7 Governors • 34 lawyers • 39 former members of the Congress of the Confederation • Several wealthy, most well to do • 1/3 veterans of the Continental army • 3 physicians • ½ college graduates • 6 large plantation owners • 8 important businesspersons

  5. The Challenge: • How to create a government strong enough to preserve order but not so strong as to threaten liberty • Washington selected as President, Virginia delegation introduced the draft created by Madison (who also took detailed notes of the convention) • Split on many issues: -strong national but limited authority, monarchy, trust common man, claims to western lands

  6. The Virginia Plan • Strong national union with three branches • Legislative branch made up of two houses, one elected by people, second selected by first house • Executive selected by legislature, judiciary appointed by legislature • National legislature had supreme powers on all matters separate states couldn’t act on and could veto any state laws

  7. The New Jersey Plan • Amended Articles of Confederation • Each state had one vote, regardless of population -big issue for small states • Congress able to regulate trade and impose taxes • Several people, elected by Congress, would form executive branch *If introduced first it probably would have passed, but delegates were already considering the Virginia Plan

  8. The Compromise • aka the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise • House of Representatives based on population, elected by the people • Senate with two Senators per state, chosen by state legislatures

  9. Other Compromises • Electoral college (Congress appoints vs. direct election) • Presidential term (3, 7, life?) • Selection process of Supreme Court justices (Senate vs. Pres) • No export taxes (South insisted) • 3/5 compromise Plan adopted July 16, 1787 and approved by all states September 17.

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