Const. Convention 1787 Notes

Summary

This video discusses the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, focusing on the essential compromises that formed the foundation of the United States government. The speaker emphasizes the importance of compromise in politics, using examples like Shays' Rebellion and the debate between large and small states over representation. The Great Compromise, which balanced the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, and the controversial Three-Fifths Compromise on slavery, are key highlights. The video concludes by explaining the ratification of the new Constitution, which provided a stronger, more unified government than the Articles of Confederation, despite its imperfections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Compromise is essential in politics, as it allows opposing sides to meet in the middle and work together for solutions.
• 😀 Shays' Rebellion in 1786-87 highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government.
• 😀 George Washington, after being retired, was motivated to come out of retirement after seeing the chaos of the rebellion, stressing the need for a stronger government.
• 😀 The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened to either fix or replace the Articles of Confederation, ultimately deciding to create a new framework for government.
• 😀 The delegates at the Constitutional Convention, including figures like George Washington, James Madison, and Ben Franklin, aimed to create a government strong enough to avoid anarchy but not too powerful to threaten individual liberties.
• 😀 The Virginia Plan advocated for representation based on population, giving larger states more power, which was opposed by smaller states.
• 😀 The New Jersey Plan proposed equal representation for each state, regardless of size, which larger states opposed due to their smaller influence.
• 😀 The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, resulted in a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with two senators from each state.
• 😀 The issue of slavery led to the Three-Fifths Compromise, where slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes, a deeply controversial and morally troubling decision.
• 😀 Despite disagreements, 39 out of 55 delegates signed the Constitution, which was then ratified by all states by 1790, creating the foundation for the new government of the United States.

Q & A

What is the importance of compromise in politics, according to the transcript?

Compromise is crucial in politics because it helps balance opposing views. Both sides give up part of what they want to meet in the middle, which ensures that decisions can be made in a government without a king dictating outcomes.

What event in 1786-87 prompted the need for a stronger central government?

The rebellion in Massachusetts, known as Shays' Rebellion, where farmers protested taxes and the weak central government was unable to address it, highlighted the need for a stronger federal government.

Why did George Washington decide to come out of retirement during the rebellion?

George Washington was concerned that if the rebellion spread, it could lead to anarchy and chaos, which prompted him to write a letter urging the need for a stronger government and to support a meeting for reform.

What was the main issue discussed at the 1787 Constitutional Convention?

The main issue was whether to fix the Articles of Confederation or to scrap them and create a new plan for a stronger central government. The decision was made to write a new Constitution.

What role did George Washington play in the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington served as the president of the Constitutional Convention, lending gravity to the proceedings and signaling the importance of the event.

What were the differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?

The Virginia Plan proposed a two-house legislature based on population, giving more power to larger states, while the New Jersey Plan called for a one-house legislature where every state would have equal representation, regardless of size.

What was the Great Compromise, and how did it resolve the issue of representation?

The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, established a two-house legislature: the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with two representatives per state, ensuring both large and small states had a voice.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise, and how did it affect representation?

The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed slaves to be counted as three-fifths of a person for determining a state's population, thus increasing representation for southern states, though it was a deeply controversial and morally problematic agreement.

What role did slavery play in the debates at the Constitutional Convention?

Slavery was a divisive issue, particularly concerning whether slaves should be counted in the population for representation. Southern states wanted slaves counted, while Northern states argued against it, ultimately leading to the Three-Fifths Compromise.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention in terms of state ratification?

The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates, and after further debate and compromises, all the states had ratified it by 1790, making it the new governing document of the United States.