CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, PA

74 Delegates Invited / 55 Show Up

PRESENT: :

George Washington     President of the Convention

Ben Franklin        "Elder Statesman" / Moderator

James Madison     Kept Detailed Notes - "Father of the Constitution"

Alexander Hamilton    "Catalyst"

Gouverneur Morris     wrote the Constitution in "planned ambiguity"

ABSENT :

John Hancock & Sam Adams   were not chosen as delegates

Patrick Henry       "I smell a rat!"

Thomas Jefferson      In France / Treaty

John Adams          In Britain / Treaty

RHODE ISLAND DID NOT COME!

QUESTIONS RAISED AT THE CONVENTION:

1. Representation of small & large states?

2. Should Congress have the power to regulate trade?

3. Should slaves be counted for taxation & representation?  If so, how?

VIRGINIA PLAN : Presented by Edmund Randolph

Representation in Congress would be based on each states population

NEW JERSEY PLAN :  Presented by Wm. Patterson

Representation in Congress would be equal - one state / one vote

CONNECTICUT COMPROMISE/GREAT COMPROMISE

Presented by Roger Sherman from Connecticut:

- Equal representation in one house (Senate)

- Representation in the other house based on each states population (House of Representatives)

SLAVERY & TRADE QUESTION

THREE - FIFTHS COMPROMISE - stated that slaves would be counted as 3/5 "of a whole person" for the purpose of taxation & representation!

COMMERCE COMPROMISE - stated that Congress would have control over all interstate & foreign trade & could tax imports (but not exports).  Also, Congress could not restrict the importation of slaves for 20 years - until 1808.

SEPARATION OF POWERS & THE  THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

LEGISLATIVE - CONGRESS - MAKES LAWS

EXECUTIVE - PRESIDENT - ENFORCES THE LAWS

JUDICIAL - COURTS (SUPREME) - INTERPRET  LAWS

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CONGRESS

    House of Representatives                            Senate

              435                                                         100

              2  years                     TERM                    6 years

              none                        TERM LIMIT          none

REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR POLITICAL LEADERS

                                 AGE             CITIZEN

House of Reps

Senate

President

Youngest President Ever ...

Youngest President Ever Elected...

The Constitution is Ratified After Much Debate

The Federalist No.10

FEDERALIST vs ANTI-FEDERALIST

(Rhode Island is the last to ratify)

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

to amend the Constitution it takes

KEY CONSTITUTIONAL TERMS:

ex post facto laws        

treason

writ of habeas corpus

eminant domain

sufferage

extradiction

elastic clause

electoral college