Constitutional Convention and Ratification Debates (Topic 3.8) Flashcards
Annapolis Convention
didn’t work out; led to the start of the successful Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
Constitutional Convention
purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation
Who didn’t attend the Constitutional Convention?
Rhode Island because of their lack of trust in delegates decision-making
Demographics of the Constitutional Convention
White, well-educated, wealthy, males
Who was selected as presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention
George Washington
Two sides of the Constitutional Convention
some just wanted to revise the Articles, some wanted to create a whole new constitution
Federalism
a system with a strong, but limited central government
Virginia Plan
favored larger states; bicameral legislature; proportional representation in both houses
New Jersey Plan
unicameral legislature; direct representation
Great Compromise
combined ideas of the Virginia and New Jersey plan
bicameral legislature; each state had the same number of votes; 3 branches of gov’t; electoral college; house of reps based on proportional population
Two sides of slavery in the constitutional convention
Notherners believed that the slaves shouldn’t be included in populations during votes; Southerners believed the opposite
Three-Fifths Compromise
slaves would be considered 3/5 of the state population; convention postponed slave trade banning debate unitl after 1808
Two sides on trade during the Constitutional Convention
North wanted the central gov’t to regulate commerce and foreign trade; South didn’t want taxes on agricultural goods
Commercial Compromise
Allowed congress to regulate interstate commerce and place tariffs on foreign imports, but no taxes on exported goods
Federalists
supporters of the new Constitution and a strong federal gov’t (larger cities)
