Lesson 9 Flashcards
Constitutional convention
Philadelphia convention
Delegate
Framers of the constitution
Representatives of states
Federal system
Existence of two governments, national and state, each given a certain amount of authority
Proportional representation meant that states with larger populations would have
More representative sin legislature than states with smaller populations
55 delegates attended the
Philadelphia convention
Delegates were appointed by
State legislatures ranging from 2 to 8 per state
Each state had – vote in the convention
One
Some delegates were wealthy but most
Weren’t
3/4 of delegates ever in
Congress and were prominent in their states
George Washington
Most respected and honored man in the country
Washington led the American arm to
Victories over British end faced difficulties in regards to confess supplying his army
Washington was convinced that the U.S. Needed a
A strong national government
Washington was unanimously elected as
President of the convention but did not take an active role in the debates o
Washing tons presence and support of the constitution was
Essential to its success
James Madison was among the youngest of the
Revolutionary leaders
Madison was in committee to frame
Virginias constitution
Madison convinced George mason to champs the clause in Virginia declaration that guaranteed toleration of religion to
Free exercise
Madison studied ancient and modern
Political theory to prepare for convention
Benjamin Franklin
Internationally respected
Aura of wisdom
Alexander Hamilton: Washingtonians aide in the
Revolution
Hamilton left Philadelphia in frustration before convention was half over but returned in September to
Sign the constitution
James Wilson
Major influence esp on how delegates shaped the office of president
Governor Morris
One of delegates that spoke most often
Principal role in drafting constitution
Edmund Randolph: introduced the
Virginia plan to the convention and headed Virginias delegation
Randolph refused to sign constitution but
Supported its ratification
Roger Sherman
Connecticut compromise on representation in congress
Shaped American federalism
Civil discourse: a reasoned discussion in which every member has the opportunity to
Speak on any question, no one can drown out others’ ideas and listening is just as important as speaking
Thomas Paris was in Paris as
U.S. Minister
John Adams, important author of mass constitution, was
Serving as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain
Patrick Henry refused to
Attend the conversion and was an anti constitutionalist
Some others who didn’t attend
John Hancock
Samuel Adams
Richard Henry Lee
Those islands state legislature did not approve of the
Convention and didn’t send delegates
Rhode Island believed that it would be able to veto
Whatever was proposed by refusing to participate
Delegates appointed a committee to
Draw up the rules for the meeting
(Rules to govern debates) delegates from at least 7 states had to be
Present for the convention to do business
(Rules to govern debates) a delegate had o request permission for absence of his absence would
Leave the state without representation
(Rules to govern debates) when riding to speak the delegate would have to address
The president
(Rules to govern debates) ultimate respect would be shown when a delegate was
Speaking
(Rules to govern debates) a member was not allowed to speak more than twice about the same topic and could only speak the second time after
Every other member had an opportunity to speak
(Rules to govern debates) committees appointed as
Necessary
(Rules to govern debates) any decision made could be
Reconsidered or changed
(Rules to govern debates) no decision would be final until the entire plan was
Complete
(Rules to govern debates) proceedings were to remain
Secret but notes were allowed
Every provision in the constitution is related to
Many others
Secrecy allowed
Free exchange of ideas
Thought that the new constitution would have a better chance at success of the people
Did not know about their arguments during debates
4 critical points delegates appointed committees for:
Committee to resolve issue of representation
Committee of detail
Committee on postponed matters
Committee on style
Committee of detail
To write a draft including provisions for executive and judicial
Committee on postponed matters to
Deal with things such as how national president would be elected
Committee on style to prepare the
Final language
Many delegates arrived at Philadelphia with the belief that the articles should have been
Rid of rather than revised
James Madison had drafted a plan for a
New government
Virginia plan was basis for the conventions
Discussions
Virginia plan proposed a strong national gov that would have the authority to
Make and enforce laws and collect taxes
Authority of two governments
National and state governments
(Virginia plan recommended) national government with
3 branches
Legislative with most power
(Virginia plan recommended)congress would have two houses
House of reps
Senate
(Virginia plan recommended)number of reps from each state would be based on
Population or the amount of its contribution to federal treasury
(Virginia plan recommended)congress could make all laws that individual states
Could not make
(Virginia plan recommended)congress could eradicate state laws that were in violation of
Mario al constitution and interest
(Virginia plan recommended)congress could call forth the army of the nation against a state to
Enforce laws passed by congress
