The Evolution of the United States Constitution

INTRO

Welcome to our in-depth exploration of the transformation of American governance.

Our focus: The challenging journey from a divided, post-independence nation to a unified, stronger union.

The period following the Revolutionary War brought to light complex divisions and dilemmas that we will unravel in this presentation.

World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted

CHALLENGES

The Revolutionary War had been fought to break free from British monarchy and its oppressive rule, leading to a deep-seated fear of a return to tyranny among Americans.

This fear extended to any notion of establishing a monarchy within the newly independent states, and there was widespread resistance to granting titles of nobility.

The commitment to safeguarding against the reemergence of oppressive rule played a significant role in shaping the nation's direction.

CHALLENGES

James Madison and the Virginia delegation presented a transformative proposal known as the Virginia Plan.

This plan called for a radical restructuring of the national government, featuring two legislative houses: a lower house with representatives elected by the population, and an upper house with members chosen by the lower house from a list provided by state legislatures.

The Virginia Plan also conferred substantial powers upon the new Congress, including the authority to raise taxes and veto state laws that conflicted with national authority, thereby paving the way for a more centralized and powerful federal government.

Shays' Rebellion, a pivotal event in Massachusetts, brought to the forefront the inherent weaknesses of state governments.

Impoverished farmers and rural residents, burdened by debt and high taxes, revolted against the state's inability to address their grievances.

The rebellion disrupted local courts and revealed the inability of state government to maintain order, underscoring the pressing need for a more effective and centralized system of governance.

PLANS

A significant conflict arose over the issue of representation in the national government. Larger states, such as Virginia, advocated for proportional representation, where their larger populations would translate into more representatives in Congress.

Conversely, smaller states, like Maryland, insisted on equal representation, wherein each state held an equal vote in Congress, regardless of its size.

These different views led to increasing tensions and raised the question of how to reconcile the interests of both large and small states within a united nation.

In response to the Virginia Plan, the smaller states, including New Jersey, presented their own proposal.

The New Jersey Plan called for maintaining the unicameral legislature of the Articles of Confederation, with each state having equal representation.

This plan aimed to protect the interests of smaller states and maintain the status quo.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing the nation's mounting problems, delegates from across the states convened in Philadelphia in 1787.

Prominent figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison played instrumental roles in shaping the future of American governance.

The overarching goal of the Constitutional Convention was to devise a more effective system of government capable of overcoming the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation.

COMPROMISE

COMPROMISES

The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was a pivotal turning point.

Proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut, it combined elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

The compromise called for a bicameral legislature: a lower house with representation based on population (House of Representatives) and an upper house with equal representation for each state (Senate).

This compromise helped bridge the gap between large and small states and laid the foundation for the structure of the future United States government.