1. SC & the
Constitutional
Convention
8-3.2-- Explain the role of South
Carolina and its leaders in the
Constitutional Convention, including their
support of the Three-Fifths Compromise
and the Commerce Compromise as well
as the division among South Carolinians
over the ratification of the Constitution.

2. Quick Review
 The national government was facing
similar economic
problems, indebtedness, & depression as
SC
 Tension were strong between the coastal
elite and backcountry farmers and
woodsmen
 Shay’s Rebellion resulted in a call for a
stronger central government that could
control future rebellions such as this

3. Philadelphia Convention
 Called to help solve the government
problems under the Articles of
Confederation
 SC supported adopting a stronger national
government in a new constitution
 SC also supported the Virginia Plan
◦ Plan for a 3 branch government:
 Legislative
 Judiciary
 Executive
 & Representation based on population

4. Great Compromise
 Also known as the “Connecticut
Compromise”
 Equal representation of states in
senate, proportional state representation
in the House of Representatives
 Raised the issue if slaves should be
counted as part of the representation
 Slaves states said yes/ Northern states
(were emancipating their slaves) said no

5. All those Compromises
 SC did not support the 3/5ths
Compromise
 It resolved the issue of slave counting for
representation
 SC was also worried that a stronger
national government might attempt to
regulate trade(ie, control over exports
and import taxes to hamper slavery)
 Commerce Compromise stated that the
federal government would not make any
decisions on international slavery for at
least 20 years

6. Holding Office
 Sc supported a strong executive
(President) with a term of 6-7 years
 SC elite advocated for aristocratic republic
where only property owners could hold
office
 States were given the decision on state
voter requirements
 Although SC delegates didn’t get
everything they wanted in the new
constitution, they were happy with the
outcome & pushed SC to quickly ratify it.

7. SC & Ratifying the Constitution
 SC ratifying convention held in
Charleston, even though Columbia was
now the Capital
 Backcountry opponents to the constitution
were called the Anti-Federalists
 Charles Pickney (Federalist) wanted a
strong national government who could
influence foreign affairs & help made new
trade relationships to stabilize the
economy

8. SC & Ratifying the Constitution
 Opposition by the Anti-Federalists
prompted the Federalists to create the Bill
of Rights at the First Congress
 SC was the 8th state to join the new
nation