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The Annapolis Convention
Initial Efforts: Hosted by George Washington in 1785 to address interstate commerce issues, leading to a follow-up meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1786.
Outcome: Only five states attended, but James Madison and Alexander Hamilton successfully advocated for a broader convention to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the Philadelphia Convention.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
Purpose: Officially convened in 1787 with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately led to the drafting of a new Constitution.
Attendance: Delegates from 12 states attended, with Rhode Island abstaining due to distrust of the proposed changes.
Key Issues at the Convention
Fundamental Purpose:
Revising vs. Rewriting: While some delegates aimed to merely amend the Articles, strong nationalists like Madison and Hamilton pushed for drafting a completely new document to create a more robust federal system.
Federalism: Advocates argued for a strong but limited central government to replace the weak confederation model, emphasizing federalism and a system of checks and balances.
Representation:
Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan: The Virginia Plan favored representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation regardless of state size.
Great Compromise: Proposed by Roger Sherman, this plan established a bicameral Congress with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
Slavery:
Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation purposes.
Slave Trade: Delegates agreed to allow the importation of enslaved people until 1808, after which Congress could choose to abolish the practice.
Trade:
Commercial Compromise: Allowed Congress to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, including placing tariffs on imports, but prohibited export taxes, addressing concerns from southern states about their agricultural exports.
The Presidency:
Term and Election: Established a four-year presidential term with no limit on re-election. The Electoral College system was created to elect the president, balancing concerns about direct democracy and mob rule.
Powers: Granted the president significant authority, including the power to veto Congressional acts.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalists:
Support: Advocated for the Constitution and a strong federal government.
Demographics: Predominantly found along the Atlantic Coast and in large cities.
Notable Figures: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay.
Anti-Federalists:
Opposition: Feared that a strong central government would replicate the tyranny they fought against during the Revolutionary War.
Demographics: Mainly small farmers and settlers on the western frontier.
Notable Figures: George Mason, Patrick Henry.
The Federalist Papers
Purpose: Written to support and advocate for the ratification of the Constitution.
Authors: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Content: A collection of 85 essays providing arguments and reasons for the Constitution's various provisions, emphasizing the need for a strong but balanced federal government.
The Path to Ratification
Early Victories: Federalists quickly secured ratification in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Main Objection: Anti-Federalists criticized the lack of a Bill of Rights, fearing that without explicit protections, the new federal government could become tyrannical.
Debate on a Bill of Rights
Anti-Federalist Concerns: Argued that a list of rights was essential to protect citizens from government overreach.
Federalist Response: Claimed that since the government was elected by the people, explicit protections were unnecessary, and listing rights could imply that unlisted rights were not protected.
Compromise: To ensure ratification, Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights as the first order of business under the new government.
Ratification Achieved ✅
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