The Constitutional Convention

 

Background:Annapolis Convention 1786: 5 states met and decided a

          larger meeting was necessary

 

Delegates from the states met at Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation

 

The sectional interests of five areas needed to be balanced to make the federal government work: (Charles Pinckney)

          New England fisheries and West Indian traders

          New York’s foreign trade

          Pennsylvania and New Jersey wheat and flour traders

          Tobacco interests in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina

          Rice and Indigo interests in South Carolina and Georgia

 

Most of the 55 men were lawyers, bankers, and merchants (about 10% of the population)

 

Many revolutionary leaders were not present either: Jefferson, John Adams, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry

 

The delegates were well versed in English political philosophy and Enlightenment thought

 

Washington presided over the convention

 

Madison kept notes of the daily proceedings and played an important role in shaping the document (hence the title Father of the Constitution)

 

Hamilton represented the propertied classes

 

Franklin helped forge compromises on many issues

 

The delegates decided to draw up a completely new document instead of revising the Articles

 

They wanted a stronger government but one that would not threaten to become a tyranny

 

They agreed that an independent executive and a judicial branch were necessary

 

They believed that the central government had to have the power to tax, control interstate commerce, raise an army, and protect property in a direct fashion (not through the states)