George+Mason

**George Mason**
**Constitutional delegate**




 * Intro:**

The United States was going down hill around the 1780’s. Lack of money and several rebellious acts were a common occurrence. The constitutional convention was held in 1786 to strengthen the articles of confederation. 55 men throughout the colonies were asked to attend this important meeting at the state house in Philadelphia. One of the 55 men was George Mason, who played an important role in the constitutional convention.


 * BACKGROUND:**

George Mason was born on December 11, 1725. He was brought up by both his parents, but in 1735, George's father died in a boating accident. At just 10 years old George was fatherless and proceeded to move in with his uncle John Mercer. While living with his uncle, George was brought up with a good about of wealth. Mercer had a private library that George was allowed to study in. George married Ann Eibeck in 1750. Together they had twelve children, nine who survived to adulthood. Mason had no formal education, he educated himself through his uncle's library.

Mason represented Virginia. He was a delegate to the U.S constitutional convention. He is known as "the father of the bill of rights". George's upbringing did effect his role in the constitutional convention because his uncle John Mercer was a leading attorney and lawyer to George Washington as well as a colonial prosecutor to the King's court of Virginia. George Mason was involved in government prior to the contitutional convention.


 * Role:**

Durring the constitutional convention, George Mason stood by his beliefs. He wanted a stronger central government but throughout the meetings, gave up on his opinion. Mason argued that the constitution didn't support the interest of the people. He also believed that the new government would create a monarchy or tyranny. Mason's role in the constitutional convention was to keep notes of various debates at the convention. William Pierce stated that Mason was one of the best politicians in America.


 * DBQ:**

Federalism means a system of government in which power is divided equally between national and state government. George Mason was strongly against federalism. Mason was a very persuasive speaker who favored the bill of rights. Mason apposed the constitution. He and a few of his colleagues were supposed to sign the constitution but instead they stood aside as they watched other delegates sign. Mason was sure this would back fire against the United States. One delegate who was for federalism stated that legislature may be trusted. Separation of powers means legislative, executive, and judiciary branches have separate and distinct powers. George Mason was con separation of powers. Mason thought the jobs of the three branches were too alike. And eventually one would become too powerful. In other words separation of power was not a guaranteed way to hold a democracy. Checks and balances mean not one branch becomes too powerful. Checks and balances were to limit the power of central government. All branches “check” each other. George Mason was also opposed to checks and balances. He thought that federal government might end up doing local government jobs. He also worried that this might make federal government more powerful than local governments. Big states vs. small states mean having advantages and disadvantages over one another. Bigger states have more representatives than smaller states because representatives were determined according to population. There was fear that smaller states would be taken over by the larger states. George Mason was apart of a bigger state but was pro the New Jersey plan.


 * || **Present** || **Absent** || **Do Not Know** || **Probably Present** || **Probably Absent** ||
 * **Act 1** || 13 || 0 || 0 || 8 || 0 ||
 * **Act 2** || 20 || 0 || 0 || 9 || 0 ||
 * **Act 3** || 22 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 ||
 * **Act 4** || 12 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 ||
 * **Totals** || 67 || 0 || 0 || 21 || 0 ||
 * **%** || 76 || 0 || 0 || 23 || 0 ||

This attendance record above tells us that George Mason was very dedicated to the convention. He was there 100 percent of the time. During the constitution Mason debated against mostly James Madison’s ideas. He also took detailed notes about what went on during the constitution. Mason was determined to prove to everyone at the convention that he was correct about his beliefs and that everyone should follow him and become an antifederalist.


 * Primary sorces:**

1) One of George Mason’s main objections to the constitution was the Senate. Mason said he did not sign the constitution because the senate had the power of changing money bills and also change the salaries of officers. The senate was allowed to hire or recommend ambassadors and public officers. Mason felt the senate had too much of an influence. Mason also believed that having the senate as a complete branch of the legislature would eventually destroy balance in the government.

2) George Mason supported the bill of rights. He objected the constitution because it did not contain the bill of rights. Most of Mason’s objections led to this document. Mason is somewhat unknown, even though he was one of the leaders of the anti-federalists. Mason believed that governments had a way of destroying peoples liberties in ways the people didn’t realize. Mason wanted to prevent this. Without George Mason the bill of rights may not be in the constitution.


 * websites:**

"Constitutional Convention and Great Compromise." //www.mrnussbaum.com - A thousand sites in one; Math Games, educational games, science games, vocabulary games, social studies games and much more!//. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2010. .

"My website." //My website//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2010. .

"government-checks-balances/constitutional-role-legislative-branch." //enotes//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2010. .

"Constitutional Topic: The Constitutional Convention - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net." //Index Page - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2010. .