Overview
This lecture covers the events, conflicts, and key decisions at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, including the creation of the U.S. Constitution, major compromises, and debates about representation, slavery, and the Bill of Rights.
Setting the Stage: Constitutional Convention
- In 1787, delegates met in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation but instead created a new Constitution.
- George Washington was elected president of the convention to provide legitimacy and calm, not for his strategic intellect.
- The convention was unauthorized to replace the Articles; replacing them amounted to a coup d'état.
Key Figures and Factions
- Four main factions existed, primarily split between large and small states and federalists vs. anti-federalists.
- James Madison arrived with a prepared constitution ("Virginia Plan")—no coincidence, this was a planned move.
- Alexander Hamilton proposed a more monarchic constitution with lifelong positions; his plan was rejected.
Major Compromises and Snags
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
- Representation deadlock: large states wanted representation by population (benefiting them), small states wanted equal representation.
- Compromise created a bicameral Congress: House of Representatives (by population) and Senate (2 per state).
3/5 Compromise
- Debate over counting slaves for representation; North wanted none counted, South wanted all.
- Compromise: each slave counted as 3/5 of a person for representation.
- All original 13 states had slavery; economic differences led to gradual abolition in the North.
Slave Importation Clause
- Importation of new slaves banned after 1808, turning some states into "breeder" states.
- The North phased out slavery largely due to economic changes and end of the Atlantic slave trade.
Bill of Rights Debate
- Federalists opposed including a Bill of Rights, arguing that rights aren't protected during crises and that listing them could limit unlisted rights.
- Anti-federalists argued written rights empower citizens and serve as a check on government overreach, especially during political crises.
- Compromise: Federalists promised a Bill of Rights after ratification; only habeas corpus and ban on bills of attainder were included initially.
Ratification Process
- Constitution was controversially passed by locking anti-federalists out during a lunch break.
- Required 9 out of 13 states for ratification; Delaware ratified quickly, and 9 states did so by 1789.
- Later, a Bill of Rights was adopted as promised.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Articles of Confederation — The first U.S. constitution, replaced in 1787 due to ineffectiveness.
- Bicameral Legislature — A legislative body with two chambers (House & Senate).
- Coup d'état — The illegal overthrow or replacement of a government.
- Three-Fifths Compromise — Agreement to count slaves as 60% of a person for congressional representation.
- Bill of Rights — The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights.
- Federalist — Supported strong central government and the Constitution as drafted.
- Anti-federalist — Favored stronger state governments and demanded a Bill of Rights.
- Habeas Corpus — Right to challenge unlawful detention.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the Federalist Papers and the early function of the new government.
- Prepare for the midterm (open book), due on June 10th.
- Watch and critically analyze approved "60 Minutes" segments for essay assignments.
- Remember: support opinions with arguments and evidence in essays.