Eleanor Finch
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history, as delegates from 13 states gathered in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. The convention witnessed intense debates on several key issues, including representation in Congress, the powers of the president, the slave trade, and a bill of rights. One outcome of these debates was the creation of a powerful central government, a contentious issue between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a strong central government, while the Anti-Federalists, dominant in states like New York and Virginia, vehemently opposed it, arguing for states' rights and a bill of rights. The convention culminated in the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, a document that has endured and shaped the nation's governance for over two centuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Outcome of the Constitutional Debate | The U.S. Constitution was formed, replacing the Articles of Confederation |
| Who was involved | Federalists, Anti-Federalists |
| What were the disagreements | Inclusion of clauses acknowledging slavery, size and scope of the federal government, ability to conduct foreign affairs, possibility of the legislative branch requiring taxes at the state level |
| What were the compromises | Three-Fifths Compromise, slave trade ban after 20 years, no limit on the number of presidential terms, Electoral College |
| What were the outcomes | The Constitution became the fundamental law of the land for the states adopting it; by mid-January 1788, five states had ratified it |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution, believing that a strong central government was necessary to address the nation's challenges. They argued that the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution, had failed as it gave the Confederation Congress power but no enforcement abilities, and it could not regulate commerce or print money. Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the Federalist movement, writing 51 essays arguing for ratification.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, opposed the Constitution as they believed it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the monarchy they had recently overthrown. They also argued that it lacked a bill of rights. The Anti-Federalists were dominant in large and powerful states like Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia, and they put up a strong opposition through essays and debates. They demanded amendments to the Constitution, including the protection of individual liberties and the inclusion of a bill of rights.
The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists centred around several key issues. One was the size and scope of the federal government in relation to state governments. Another was the issue of slavery and its representation in Congress, with the Three-Fifths Compromise being a temporary resolution. Other points of contention included the powers of the president, the method of electing the president, and the ability to conduct foreign affairs.
The ratification debate was intense, with both sides compromising and negotiating to reach a resolution. The Federalists, for example, promised to consider amendments after the Constitution was ratified. Eventually, the Constitution was ratified by nine out of the thirteen states, with the Anti-Federalists calling for another convention to propose a bill of rights.
Florida v. Jardines: Constitutional Principle of Privacy
You may want to see also
The Three-Fifths Compromise
Slaveholding states wanted their entire population to be counted to determine the number of Representatives they could send to Congress. Free states, on the other hand, wanted to exclude the counting of slave populations in slave states, as those slaves had no voting rights. The compromise struck counted three-fifths of each state's slave population toward that state's total population for the purpose of apportioning the House of Representatives, giving the Southern states more power in the House relative to the North.
The three-fifths ratio was proposed by James Madison and was included in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. It states: "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other Persons." The "other Persons" referred to in this clause were slaves.
Electoral Timetables: Constitutional Requirements for Elections
You may want to see also
Congressional representation
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was a pivotal moment in American history, as it addressed the contentious issue of congressional representation. The convention witnessed a clash between large and small states, with the former advocating for representation based on population and the latter insisting on equal representation. This dispute threatened to derail the ratification of the Constitution.
The large states, with their more substantial populations, believed that their greater contribution to the nation's resources entitled them to a stronger voice in the central government. On the other hand, small states, recalling their equal vote under the Articles of Confederation, argued for preserving their equal representation to prevent being overshadowed by the larger states.
The delegates' commitment to equality and the principles of the Declaration of Independence was tested during these debates. The issue of slavery further complicated matters, as delegates grappled with how to factor the Southern slave population into calculations for representation. This resulted in the Three-Fifths Compromise, where each slave was counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
To resolve the deadlock, the delegates adopted the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut. This compromise established a bicameral Congress, with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate where each state had equal representation. This unique plan for congressional representation, with its mix of proportional and equal representation, ensured that interests across the entire country were represented.
The Great Compromise played a pivotal role in shaping the US political system, influencing everything from legislation to the electoral college. It reflected the founding fathers' commitment to balancing the interests of large and small states and ensuring that the new government was both part national and part federal.
No-Contact Orders: Supreme Court Ruling on Communication
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Bill of Rights
The Federalists, who advocated for a strong national government, believed that the people and states retained any powers not explicitly granted to the federal government. They argued that a bill of rights was unnecessary and potentially dangerous, as it could be interpreted as exhaustive, with any omitted rights considered not retained. Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in this camp, passionately defending the Constitution and urging his allies to influence the debate.
On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists wanted power to remain with state and local governments and strongly advocated for a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberty. They argued that the proposed Constitution dangerously expanded the powers of the central government and that a bill of rights was necessary to protect against potential encroachment on people's rights. George Mason, one of the key Anti-Federalists, wrote a pamphlet opposing the new government and refused to sign the Constitution due to the absence of a bill of rights.
James Madison, initially an opponent of the Bill of Rights, introduced a list of amendments to the Constitution in 1789, recognising the importance voters attached to these protections. The House passed a joint resolution containing 17 amendments, which the Senate amended to 12. These were sent to the states for approval, and by 1791, three-fourths of the states had ratified 10 of these amendments, now collectively known as the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution's Judicial Power: What's Specified?
You may want to see also
Ratification
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, vehemently opposed the Constitution due to their distrust of centralised power and loyalty to their individual states. They argued that the Constitution dangerously expanded the powers of the central government and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. The Anti-Federalists dominated the New York Convention, and their influence extended to large and powerful states like Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia, where they posed significant opposition to ratification.
The ratification debate was intense, with both sides employing essays and debates to make their cases. The Federalists held a slight advantage, knowing that the Anti-Federalists would demand a second convention before accepting the new government. The "vote now, amend later" compromise played a pivotal role in swaying Massachusetts toward ratification, which eventually led to the final holdout states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, joining the federal union.
The delegates themselves represented diverse interests and views, and the Constitution was indeed "a bundle of compromises." They agreed to bypass state legislatures and instead called for special ratifying conventions in each state, understanding that state legislators would be reluctant to cede power to a national government. The delegates also grappled with questions about the president's term length and the number of terms, seeking to balance the need for stable leadership while guarding against the rise of a monarchy or despot.
The issue of slavery was central to the debates, with Southern states insisting on proposals to protect their economy, including banning Congress from taxing exports and prohibiting the importation of slaves. The Three-Fifths Compromise was reached, wherein enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for congressional representation, significantly impacting the number of congressional seats in several states, particularly in the South. The delegates also agreed that the slave trade could continue until 1808, when the United States formally prohibited the international slave trade.
McCulloch v Maryland: The Principle of Federal Supremacy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
One outcome of the Constitutional Debate was the creation of a powerful central government, which was a concern for Anti-Federalists who were wary of centralized power.
Another outcome was the agreement that the slave trade could continue until 1808, with the Three-Fifths Compromise counting enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person for congressional representation.
A third outcome was the decision on the length of the president's term, which was set at four years with no limit on re-elections.
