LESSON 9 ORGANIZING THE CONVENTION LESSON OBJECTIVES Describe

LESSON 9: ORGANIZING THE CONVENTION

LESSON OBJECTIVES § Describe the organizing phase of the Philadelphia Convention § Rules and agendas for effective civil discussion § Take and defend positions on determining what interest should be represented in a constitutional convention § Advantages and disadvantages of secrecy in governmental deliberation

HIGHLY REGARDED § 55 Delegates attend the Convention – Framers § Appointed by legislatures: 2 – New Hampshire 8 – Pennsylvania § Various ages 26 -81 § Various economic backgrounds § Prominent in state; some played important roles in the revolution § Respected group: French observer – “[Never before]… “even in Europe”… [had their been]. . . “an assembly more respectable for talents, knowledge, disinterestedness and patriotism. ” § Jefferson wrote to Adams the convention was, “as assembly of demi-gods”

WASHINGTON § Most respected and honored man in the country § Led Revolutionary forces in the Revolutionary War § Convinced the US needed a strong national government § Initially did not want to attend § Did not want the perception that he was not in support of a republican form of government § Elected as president of the convention § Did not actively take part in debates § His presence and the assumption of presidency were essential to the success of the convention

JAMES MADISON § Great Influence § Studied ancient and modern political theory § 36 in Philadelphia § Commitment to free exercise of religion § Help frame the Virginia State Constitution § Took outstanding notes throughout the convention

BEN FRANKLIN § 81 at the time of the convention § Near the end needed assistance to sign § Internationally respected § Supported a strong national government § Was out voted by state delegation § Left the convention § Signed the Constitution

OTHERS § James Wilson – Penn- office of President § Gouverneur [sic] Morris – Penn-principal role in helping draft the Constitution § Edmund Randolph – Virg Gov. - officially headed that state’s delegation and introduced the Virg Plan. Refused to sign the Constitution – departed from Republican Gov. § Roger Sherman – Instrumental in forging the Connecticut Compromise – Federalism

§ Jefferson – US Minister to France § Adams – Principal write of Mass. Constitution – US Ambassador to Great Britain § Henry –Distrust of proceedings § Hancock -- Poor health § Samuel Adams -- opposed the concept of the convention § Richard Henry Lee -- lack of a bill of rights § Delegation from Rhode Island

§ Quorum of 7 states § Delegates had to get permission to be absent if it damaged representation § Delegates had to wait to be acknowledged; others had to show respect § Could not speak twice on the same question § Committees as necessary § Decisions subject to reconsideration and change, until final plan was done § Proceedings were secret § Basis for civil discourse

§ Legislative, Judicial, Executive - Leg to appoint others § Bicameral legislature § Representation on population § Congress would have power to make laws states could not § Either house could propose legislation § Power to nullify laws that conflicted with the Constitution