What really happened in Philadelphia in 1787?

John P. Roche:

We need to promote the Framers from

“immortality to mortality.”

A. Competing Theses

1. Classical Thesis (19^th cent.) –
1. Framers were an “assembly of demigods.”

​

• Constitution represents theoretical perfection.

​

• Turning the Framers into mythical figures with divine wisdom was a common practice among early historians.

A. Competing Theses (cont.)

2) Beard Thesis (early 1900s) –

​

• This was a form of quasi-Marxist revisionism.

​

​

• Framers were counter-revolutionary economic elites.

​

​

• Constitution represents a coup to centralize power and protect elite property at the expense of the masses.

A. Competing Theses (cont.)

3) Roche Thesis –

​

​

• Framers were experienced, practical politicians committed to national unity.

​

• Constitution represents their best efforts at reconciling fierce competing interests through a series of less-than perfect compromises.

​

• Their overriding motive was not perfection nor elite property protection but instead gaining...

Popular

approbation!

B. A Reform Caucus in Action

FRQ#2 = Debunking the Classical Thesis:

The Constitution as a “bundle of compromises” aimed at gaining “popular approbation.”

“We must give the people not the best government we can devise, but the best they will receive.”

• Pierce Butler (a delegate from S.C.)

1) The Great Compromise

The great issue of the Convention:

​

​

• How will the states be represented in the new Congress?

NJ Plan = unicameral with 1 vote/state.

VA Plan = bicameral with Proportional Representation.

(Big states)

(Small states)

Madison

William Paterson

1) The Great Compromise (cont.)

Large States:

Virginia

Massachusetts

Pennsylvania

N. Carolina

S. Carolina

Georgia

Small States:

Delaware

New Jersey

Connecticut

Maryland

New York

6

5

Rhode Island

New Hampshire

1) The Great Compromise (cont.)

Roger Sherman

• Creator of the Great Compromise.

• Delegate from Connecticut.

1) The Great Compromise (cont.)

House of

Reps

Senate

Congress

Based on population

1 vote/state

2 votes/state

“Grand Committee”

1) The Great Compromise (cont.)

• James Madison:

The Senate is a non-democratic body and “confessedly unjust.”

CA

WY

H of R

Senate

53

1

2

2

Yes

No

2) Electoral College Compromise

• Who should choose the President?

1) Congress

2) People

3) State Leg.

Nov: Vote

Dec: Choose electors.

Jan:

No majority?

Same # as seats in Congress (H+S).

H➔Pres.

S➔V.P.

(non-binding)

Simple Majority wins!

2nd place is V.P.

3) Slavery

• Should slaves be counted in the population?

​

​

• Should Congress be allowed to ban the slave trade?

​

​

• Should it be a requirement that escaped slaves be returned to their owners?

• Three-fifths compromise.

​

• Slave trade compromise.

​

• Fugitive slave clause.

Research and be prepared to discuss 2 0f the 3 slavery-related compromises.

C . Appeasing the States

Congress

House of

Reps

Senate

New Powers:

People

President

Supreme

Court

1) Tax

2) Regulate Trade

3) Army & Navy

4) Nullify state laws

5) Invade the states

Madison’s Virginia Plan

State

Leg.

State

Leg.

Electors

Federalism