Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional ConventionThe Constitutional ConventionCopy the following notes. Copy the following notes.

The Constitutional The Constitutional Convention beginsConvention begins

1787 - Philadelphia1787 - Philadelphia Delegates from all the Delegates from all the

states invited to a states invited to a convention to improve convention to improve the Articles of the Articles of Confederation, which Confederation, which were not workingwere not working

Only RI didnOnly RI didn’’t attendt attend 55 Delegates 55 Delegates

attendedattended

Leaders of the ConventionLeaders of the Convention

George Washington was asked to George Washington was asked to preside (lead) over the convention.preside (lead) over the convention.

James Madison kept notes of the James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called discussions and is often called ““The The Father of the Constitution.Father of the Constitution.””

The men who wrote the Constitution are The men who wrote the Constitution are called the called the ““Founding Fathers.Founding Fathers.””

All the participants in the Convention All the participants in the Convention were wealthy, white, males. were wealthy, white, males.

The Founding FathersThe Founding Fathers

Issues that divided the NatioIssues that divided the Nationn’’s leaderss leaders

The power of the federal government. Would the The power of the federal government. Would the states or the federal government have the most states or the federal government have the most power?power?

Representation in Congress (How many Representation in Congress (How many members on Congress would each state get? – members on Congress would each state get? – small states wanted equal representation, large small states wanted equal representation, large states wanted it to be determined by population states wanted it to be determined by population of the statesof the states

Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue?the slave trade continue?

Called for a new national government. Threw Called for a new national government. Threw out the Articles of Confederationout the Articles of Confederation

Three separate branches of government. – Three separate branches of government. – a legislative branch, executive branch, and a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branchjudicial branch

Representation in the legislative branch based Representation in the legislative branch based on population of stateon population of state

Large states like the plan, small states donLarge states like the plan, small states don’’t.t.

The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

Legislature - has one house.Legislature - has one house. Each state gets one vote. Each state gets one vote. Small states like the plan, the large states Small states like the plan, the large states

hate it.hate it. There would have to be a compromise.There would have to be a compromise.

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise

Legislature would have two houses Legislature would have two houses (parts): House of Representatives and a (parts): House of Representatives and a SenateSenate

House - based on the population of stateHouse - based on the population of state Senate - two senators per each stateSenate - two senators per each state

SlaverySlavery

The Southern states refused to approve The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued. the Constitution unless slavery continued.

It was a terrible compromise to make, but It was a terrible compromise to make, but the Northern states had no choice if they the Northern states had no choice if they wanted a Constitution. wanted a Constitution.

3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

Congress can not ban the slave trade until Congress can not ban the slave trade until 1808.1808.