Government-important additions to notes

As you all know, we use Mr. Dean's notes for Government. The basic notes are good, but need some elaboration that I usually do in class discussion. So I will add and clarify some key points that will be included on the test Tuesday below.

Conflict at Constitutional Convention

• 2 opposing views: Large states v. Small states
• The ideas of both were presented in two written "plans":
• The Virginia Plan was the large states plan written by James Madison. He arrived with it already written. Madison had been the main person pushing hard to get rid of the Articles and devise a stronger national government. 
• The Virginia plan wanted to have representation based entirely on population of the state. VA was the largest state and would have the most power, but also Madison saw this as "We the People." The people should have the most power not the states.
• The New Jersey Plan was the small states plan. The small states fought hard to have all representation be equal for all states regardless of their population. If Representation was based on population the small sates would lose influence and power. 

The Great Compromise Saves the Day:

• The opposing views were so strong that the convention almost failed to accomplish its goal of a new stronger federal government. Delegates were threaten to leave Philadelphia and go back to their states. Hamilton had returned to New York in frustration because he was opposed so strongly by his own NY delegation. 
• Roger Sherman of Connecticut, a small state, came up with the "Great Compromise:"
• Congress would be bicameral-made up of two houses. The House of Representatives would be based on population. The Senate would have equal representation from each state. 
• This "compromise" broke the stalemate and the Constitution was completed and ratified. 

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

• The Federalists led by Washington, Madison and Hamilton felt the future of America depended on creating a stronger national government that could tax, regulate trade and create a national currency. The Federalist Papers were written by Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay. They were sent to big newspapers as anonymous letters to the editor arguing for the Constitution to be ratified. 
• The Anti-Federalists were led by Jefferson and Patrick Henry. They demanded a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution and feared the Constitution would take away individual and states rights. 
• Compromise again wins the day. The Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights and promised to focus on Federalism or the Federal System, which divided powers between the national government and the states.