Characteristics of the Delegates to the Constitutional Convention.

Characteristics of the Delegates

to the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention

• Original purpose of the meeting was to reform (not scrap) the Articles of Confederation

• Delegates decided to keep proceedings secret until final Constitution was drafted Independence Hall,

Philadelphia, PA

AgeAverage Age: 42

Youngest: 26 Oldest: 81

Jonathon Dayton Ben Franklin

EducationOver Half Graduated from College

George Clymer

Educated by Uncle

James Madison

Princeton

33 from Ivy League… 9 from Princeton

OccupationsDelegates came from a wide variety of backgrounds

Planters LawyersArtisans Merchants

Ben Franklin

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

William Paterson

Government ExperienceWhile many delegates had years of experience in state

and national politics, others were relative novices.

Governors Judges Legislators Novices

James Wilson

Pennslyvannia

John Dickinson

Delaware

John Blair

Virginia

John Langdon

New Hampshire

States RepresentedMassachusetts

New Hampshire

Connecticut

New York

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Maryland

Delaware

Virginia

North Carolina

South Carolina

Georgia

*Rhode Island Refused to Attend

Competing Plans for the Constitution

Virginia Plan•Written by James Madison

•Scrap Articles & create new gov.

•Bicameral Legislature

•Representation based on population

•Lower house elected by people & Upper house chosen by lower

New Jersey Plan•Introduced by William Paterson

•Wanted to reform Articles rather than replace them

•Unicameral Legislature based with equal representation for each state

Connecticut (Great) CompromiseBicameral Legislature with representation in House of Representatives based on population and two representatives per state in the Senate

Constitutional Compromises3/5 Compromise

Slaves count as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation

Commerce Compromise Congress cannot tax exports, but it can tax imports.

Congress cannot ban the slave trade until 1808

Democracy vs. Stability House of Representatives to be directly elected by people,

but President and Senate to be indirectly elected.

Strength of Executive BranchPresident elected to 4 year terms with limits on his

power through checks & balances