Constitutional Convention Flashcards
How many states were represented at the convention?
12 States
Who was the oldest delegate to attend?
Benjamin Franklin
What state did not attend and why?
Rhode Island because they feared a strong national gov’t
Which delegates didn’t attend the constitution and why?
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson didn’t attend because they were representing the U.S in Great Britain and France. Sam Adams, John Hancock and Patrick Henry didn’t attend because they feared a strong gov’t would endanger the rights of the states
How many delegates attended the convention?
55 Delegates
What was the conventions first action?
To elect Washington as president of the convention.
When and where did the convention meet for the first time?
May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, PA
What did the Virginia delegates surprise the convention members with?
The proposal of a new plan of gov’t.
Who drafted and created the Virginia Plan?
Drafted by James Madison and proposed by Edmund Randolph
How does the Constitution begin?
“We the People”
Where does the power to rule the government come from?
Regular citizens, this is called popular sovereignty
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise to count the slaves in order to be used for population purposed for the House of Representatives.
Who proposed the Three-Fifths Compromise?
James Madison
What did the Virginia Plan call for?
Three branches of gov’t, legislative branch with two houses, where delegates are elected by population size, executive branch and a judicial branch
What did the New Jersey Plan call for?
Three branches of gov’t, legislative branch with one house with set number of delegates, executive branch and judicial branch.
How does the NJ Plan differ from the VA Plan?
The VA Plan calls for two houses with delegate size based on population. The NJ Plan calls for one house with set number of delegates.
What was Shay’s rebellion?
Daniel Shay led a group of farmers to shut down MA court houses to prevent them from ordering the farmers to sell their land and animals.
What was the effect of Shay’s rebellion?
Shocked Congress and caused them to call a convention to review the situation. Disturbed citizens because they were losing faith in the power of the gov’t.
What does “Form a more perfect Union” mean?
They wanted the states to cooperate with each other.
What does “establish justice” mean?
They wanted to be ruled by laws and not soldiers or a king.
What does “ensure domestic tranquility” mean?
Keep peace and order within the country.
What does “provide for the common defence” mean?
National government is responsible for protection against enemies.
What does “promote the general welfare” mean?
Government is to support an economy in which people can prosper.
What does “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity?
The government will protect freedom and preserve it for future generations of Americans to enjoy,
How many Houses does the Great Compromise call for?
Two houses.
How is each state represented in the legislative branch based on the Great Compromise?
The House of Representatives is based on population (VA Plan) and the Senate is represented equally (NJ Plan).
How did secrecy play a role in the convention?
Everything happening in the convention had to be kept a secret so that the delegates were free to discuss openly.
What was the Land Ordinance Act of 1785?
The act divided the land given to American after the War into small parts to be sold to citizens.
What was the Northwest Territory?
The land west of the colonies, but east of the Mississippi River.
How did the new towns become states?
When their population reached 60,000 they were able to apply for statehood.
