Heimlich's History: Ratification of the Constitution

Objectives

• Explain the impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the constitutional system.
• Understand the key compromises in the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

The Constitutional Convention

• Background: Following the failure of the Articles of Confederation, the Philadelphia Convention was called in 1787 to address its weaknesses.
• Goal: Strengthen the federal government and eliminate the weaknesses of the Articles.

Key Compromises of the Constitution

1. The Great Compromise

• Issue: Representation in Congress.
• Virginia Plan: Representation based on population (favored by large states).
• New Jersey Plan: Equal representation for each state (favored by small states).
• Resolution: Bicameral legislature:
  • House of Representatives based on population.
  • Senate with equal representation for each state.

2. Presidential Election Compromise

• Options Considered:
  • Election by the people.
  • Election by state legislatures.
  • Election by Congress.
• Resolution: Electoral College system where electors, equivalent to the number of representatives in Congress, elect the President.

3. Three-Fifths Compromise

• Issue: Counting enslaved people for representation and taxation.
• Northern View: Count only the free population.
• Southern View: Include enslaved people to increase representation.
• Resolution: Count three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and taxation.

4. Slave Trade Compromise

• Issue: Abolition of the slave trade.
• Resolution: Slave trade would not be abolished for 20 years, ending in 1808.

Amending the Constitution

• Need for Amendments: Framers recognized the need for a method to amend the Constitution, unlike the rigid Articles.
• Process:
  • Proposal: By Congress or state conventions needing a two-thirds vote.
  • Ratification: By three-quarters of the states.
• Fact: Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten being the Bill of Rights.

Ratification and Continuing Debates

• Ratification: Completed by 1790, with Rhode Island as the last state to ratify.
• Ongoing Debates:
  • Government Surveillance: Post-9/11 USA Patriot Act raised debates over federal power vs. individual rights under the Fourth Amendment.
  • Education: No Child Left Behind Act sparked controversy over federal overreach into state-controlled education.

Conclusion

• The debates from the constitutional creation are still relevant and ongoing in contemporary issues like surveillance and education.

Study Tips

• For more details, refer to the video on the U.S. Constitution and explore further resources on political negotiation and compromises during the Constitutional Convention.