First Post Due May 9, 2014
Final Posts Due May 14, 2014
Historical Context:
In the spring and summer of 1797, representatives from twelve of the thirteen new American states (Rhode Island conspicuous by its absence) met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the expressed task to amend and modify America’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union then governing the fledgling nation. Many of the assembled delegates, exemplified by James Madison felt that the Articles were beyond reform and a new “nationalist” government needed implementation for the new nation’s survival. As the delegates met in Philadelphia in 1797, they bound themselves to an oath, to one another, to keep their discussions secret and candid.
As the summer progressed, tempers and the heat of the Pennsylvania summer rose to levels beyond the point of a simple simmer. Many proposals (i.e. Virginia and New Jersey plans) made the floor of the convention for discussion with many compromises resulting to address the concerns of various delegates (i.e. The Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise). Even after all the compromise and accommodation that took place in Philadelphia, three of the delegates (Edmund Randolph, George Mason and Elbridge Gerry) refused to sign the finished document that they helped craft. Ultimately, this proposed blueprint emerged from the convention in Philadelphia, to be presented and ratified by the people of the United States.
As word and copies of the document circulated throughout the American states, an opposition faction began to galvanize against its acceptance and ratification (anti-Federalists). Meanwhile, those who helped craft the document pushed vigorously for its acceptance and ratification (Federalist). Ratification of this new government needed nine of the original thirteen states to agree to accept this document in order for implementation of the Constitution to take place. In reality, all four of the most populated states (Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia) needed to ratify the document in order to give it legitimacy and a chance of success.
In New York and Virginia, this public debate became heated and contentious at times. The most famous example of the public debate for or against ratification took place in New York. A series of editorials began to appear in the local papers promoting (Federalist papers) or condemning (anti-Federalist papers) the new constitution.
For this blog, students using the handouts, textbook and the following web links must either defend or reject passage of the proposed constitution per the assigned role given to them in class.
Anti-Federalist
Federal Farmer #1http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/federal-farmer-i/
Brutus #1
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/brutus-i/
Brutus #2
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/brutus-ii/
Objection to Proposed Federal Constitution
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/objections-of-george-mason-to-proposed-federal-constitution/
Officer of Late Continental Army
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/an-officer-of-the-late-continental-army/
The Dissent of the Minority Convention of Pennsylvania (excerpts)
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/the-dissent-of-the-minority-of-the-convention-of-pennsylvania/
Federalist
Federalist #10http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/federalist-no-10/
Federalist #51
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/federalist-no-51/
An American Citizen: An Examination of the Constitution of the United States I
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/an-american-citizen-an-examination-of-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-i/
An American Citizen: An Examination of the Constitution of the United States II
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/an-american-citizen-an-examination-of-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-ii/
An American Citizen: An Examination of the Constitution of the United States III
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/an-american-citizen-an-examination-of-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-iii/
An American Citizen: An Examination of the Constitution of the United States IV
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/an-american-citizen-an-examination-of-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-iv/
