Constitution- A Bundle Of Compromises? Flashcards
What did historian Charles beard believe about the attendees of the Philadelphia convention (May 1787)
Motivation for a stronger central gov was economic as they had invetments in certificates of public credit
However their capital was mostly invested in land not public securities so motivation probably ideology
The Philadelphia convention: what principles where agreed upon?
Necessity to strengthen the central gov
People have a voice but gov in hands of men with experience and standing
Not one branch of gov (executive, legislative or judiciary) should be allowed to monopolise power
The philadelphia convention: what principles where disagreed on?
How powerful federal gov should be
Representation:
Irrespective of size or based on population (which would give Virginia 12X as many representatives as Delaware!)
The federalist papers
85 essays that argued in favour of the constitution by Hamilton madison and jay
James madison
Virginian delegate spoke 161 times and set the agenda
Draft constitution largely his work
Goucerneur morris
Final constitution (committee of style) largely his work
Benjamin frank
Gave the convention prestige
Supported ratification
Samuel Adams
As with Thomas Jeff didn’t want stronger gov
Patrick Henry also opposed
Timeline order of steps to constitution
May 1787 the Virginia plan
June the New Jersey plan
June New Jersey plan rejected and issue of representation unresolved
July the great compromise APPROVED
North vs South- slavery representation and taxation
Committee of detail- issue of slavery rose again
August- agreed that congress would not have the ability to abolish slave trade until 1808
September- commuter or style tidy draft
September 17th- approval 39/42 delegates
Why was the Virginia plan opposed by smaller states
Representatives would easily by outvoted by larger states
What was the great compromise
All states have equal representation in upper house but lower house is proportional rep
Tax is distributed according to regular consensus
What was a slave counted for in representation and direct tax
3:5 of a person
What are the powers of the federal gov
Maintain and army and navy
Make treaties with foreign powers
Borrow money
Levy taxes
Regulate commerce
What are the powers of the state governments
Forbidden from waging war and coining money
Can deal with issue of slavery
Regulate own internal commerce
Excercise jurisdiction in civil and criminal law
Criticism of the constitution- conservative backlash
Electoral college stands between the people and president
Senators not directly elected
