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U. S. HISTORY: THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1787

Jeremiah Bauer・62 minutes read

The United States Constitution is a product of compromises made during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where key figures like George Washington and James Madison played significant roles. The Constitution faced opposition and debates, leading to compromises like the Great Compromise, provisions on slavery, and the Fugitive Slave Law, before being successfully ratified by all thirteen states by May 1790.

Insights

  • The Constitutional Convention in 1787 saw significant divisions between the Virginia Plan, advocating for a strong national government with broad powers, and the New Jersey Plan, supporting state sovereignty and equality in Congress, ultimately leading to the Great Compromise establishing a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and state equality in the Senate.
  • The Constitution, finalized in September 1787, included provisions addressing issues like slavery, commerce regulation, and state restrictions, with compromises like the three-fifths compromise and the commerce compromise shaping the document, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the compromises made during the Convention and the impact they had on the Constitution's content and ratification process.

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Recent questions

  • What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

    The purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new framework for the United States government.

  • Who were some key figures at the Constitutional Convention?

    Key figures at the Constitutional Convention included George Washington, James Madison, and James Wilson, among others.

  • What were the major disagreements at the Constitutional Convention?

    Major disagreements at the Constitutional Convention revolved around the Virginia Plan, which proposed a strong national government, and the New Jersey Plan, which aimed to retain state sovereignty and equality in Congress.

  • How was the issue of slavery addressed at the Constitutional Convention?

    The issue of slavery was addressed through compromises like the three-fifths compromise and the commerce compromise, which recognized slavery in the Constitution and included provisions on the slave trade and commerce regulation.

  • How was the Constitution eventually ratified?

    The Constitution was eventually ratified by all thirteen states by May 1790, with the Federalists successfully preventing the inclusion of a "killer clause" and gaining support from prominent figures like George Washington and Ben Franklin.

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Summary

00:00

"Compromises and Challenges: Creating the Constitution"

  • The United States Constitution is a product of compromises made during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
  • The concept of discerning the founders' original intent in the Constitution is challenging due to the numerous compromises made by the 55 individuals involved.
  • The Constitutional Convention was initially scheduled for the second Monday in May 1787 but was delayed until May 25th due to a lack of a quorum.
  • Rhode Island, the only state not to ratify an impost amendment, did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention due to opposition to any changes in the Articles of Confederation.
  • The convention comprised 55 white males, with key figures like George Washington, James Madison, and James Wilson playing significant roles.
  • The delegates at the convention were relatively young, with an average age of 42, and most were lawyers with extensive public office experience.
  • The delegates worked in secrecy, with all communications limited to the 55 delegates to encourage open and free debate.
  • The convention met five to six days a week for five to six hours a day, with an average weekly attendance of around 40 delegates.
  • Divisions at the convention led to the need for compromises, with major disagreements between proponents of a unitary system, the Virginia Plan, and the New Jersey Plan.
  • The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, aimed to shift sovereignty from state governments to a sovereign national government with the power to tax, regulate, and enforce compliance.

23:12

"Madison's Plan for Stronger National Government"

  • Madison aimed to establish a new government by discarding the Articles of Confederation.
  • The Virginia Plan proposed a robust national government with unlimited authority, surpassing the final Constitution's power.
  • Enumerated powers in the current Constitution grant authority based on the people's approval.
  • The Virginia Plan lacked defined powers, granting the federal government extensive authority.
  • Specific additional powers in the Virginia Plan included judging state incompetence, vetoing state laws, and coercing states for revenue.
  • The plan advocated for proportional representation favoring larger states in a bicameral legislature.
  • Madison suggested a president elected by the people for a seven-year term, with an executive council for advice.
  • The New Jersey Plan, representing small states, aimed to retain state sovereignty and equality in Congress.
  • The Great Compromise established proportional representation in the House and state equality in the Senate.
  • The shift towards specific delegated powers and the rejection of state coercion led to a government of limited authority.

45:58

Establishing Federal Power: Constitution's Impact on States

  • Decisions of state courts could be appealed to federal courts, establishing federal power supremacy.
  • Restrictions on states were adopted at the Constitutional Convention to limit state legislatures' power.
  • Article 1, Section 10 prohibited individual states from making treaties with foreign lands or coining money.
  • States were restricted from impairing contracts, coining money, making paper money, having troops, or commissioning ships.
  • The Constitution guaranteed a Republican form of government for every state to prevent rebellions.
  • Two schools of thought at the Convention debated the extent of power the executive should have.
  • The Electoral College was established as a compromise to select the president, ensuring a balance of power.
  • The president's powers were expanded, but checks and balances were implemented by Congress.
  • The Judiciary branch was established with a focus on a national Supreme Court and limited lower federal courts.
  • Slavery was recognized in the Constitution, leading to debates and compromises like the three-fifths compromise and the commerce compromise.

01:09:46

"Slave Trade Compromise Shapes Pro-Slavery Constitution"

  • Congress was expected to prohibit importing slaves to the new nation, but Georgia and South Carolina needed a constant influx of slaves for survival.
  • Virginia and Maryland had a surplus of slaves and voted against importing more to increase the value of their surplus.
  • Georgia and South Carolina relied on slave imports due to limited population and the need to replenish slaves due to harsh conditions on rice plantations.
  • Threats by Georgia and South Carolina to leave the convention were deemed idle, as Georgia needed national protection against threats from the south and west.
  • A compromise was reached where Georgia and South Carolina traded votes on slavery for votes on commerce regulation, leading to the adoption of provisions on the slave trade and commerce regulation.
  • The Constitution included provisions on the slave trade, commerce regulation, and the Fugitive Slave Law, making it a pro-slavery document at the time of enactment.
  • The Constitution was finalized on September 8 and sent to state ratifying conventions, requiring ratification by specially elected state conventions for it to go into effect.
  • Turnout at ratifying conventions was low, with only 3-4% of eligible voters participating, showing a lack of awareness of the document's significance at the time.
  • Coastal regions and commercial cities favored the Constitution, while central regions with agriculture and self-sufficient populations tended to oppose it.
  • Anti-federalists feared the Constitution would destroy state sovereignty, lead to excessive federal taxation, and establish a standing army threatening liberty, advocating for a bill of rights.

01:32:13

Federalists' strategic tactics secure Constitution's ratification.

  • The Federalists successfully prevented the inclusion of a "killer clause" in the Constitution, eliminating federal veto power over state legislators and coercion of states, ensuring its ratification.
  • The Federalists gained support from prominent figures like George Washington and Ben Franklin, who endorsed the Constitution without reservation, enhancing its credibility and appeal.
  • The Federalists capitalized on a significant head start in the ratification process, swiftly securing approvals from states like Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey before anti-Federalists could organize.
  • Despite initial opposition in states like Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York, political maneuvering and promises of a future Bill of Rights led to the eventual ratification of the Constitution by all thirteen states by May 1790.
  • The Federalist Papers, authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, served as political propaganda to persuade delegates to accept the new Constitution, focusing on federalism and critiquing the Articles of Confederation, but should not be viewed as a definitive representation of the Constitution's original intent.
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