Section 3 Chapter 5
Mar 30, 2015
Section 3
Chapter 5
Constitutional ConventionFeb. 1787 Confederation Congress invites each
state to send delegates to Philadelphia to improve the Articles of Confederation.
May 1787 Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.
The DelegatesMost were well educatedMany had served in their state legislaturesGeorge Washington elected president of the
conventionBen Franklin and James Madison presentThomas Jefferson and John Adams absentNo women, African Americans or Native Americans
Great CompromiseSeveral issues divided the delegates
Some only wanted small changes in the Art. Of Confederation
Some want to rewrite it totallySmall and Large states had different goals and ideas
about representation, tariffs, and slaveryDelegates disagreed over the strength of the
national government
Virginia PlanEdmund Randolph of Virginia presented planProposed sovereignty (supreme power) to the
central governmentBicameral (2 houses) legislature~chosen by
populationBig states favor this plan
New Jersey PlanWilliam Paterson presentedUnicameral ( one house) legislatureEqual number of votes per stateFederal government would have the power to tax in
all states and allowed the government to regulate commerce (trade)
Small states favor this plan
Great CompromiseRoger Sherman of Connecticut proposedBicameral ( two house) legislature
Senate-each state has two representativesHouse of Representatives-number of representatives
based on the population of state
Three-Fifths CompromiseSouthern delegates wanted slaves counted in the
population for representationNorthern delegates wanted slaves counted for taxes
but not representationCompromise-each slave counted as 3/5 person for
population ( representation in the House of Representatives)
Example-50 slaves counted as 30 for representation
Commerce CompromiseForeign slave trade
Some wanted it stoppedSouthern states said economy depended on slave
trade and would leave the Union if slave trade was immediately ended
Congress’s ability to tax imports and exports were also an issue
Solution: Congress could set tariffs on imports but not exports and importation of slaves would end by 1807
No mention of “slaves” in Constitution
Living ConstitutionWanted a strong Central Government that protected
Popular Sovereignty-political power belongs to the people
Federalism-balanced power between federal (national) and state governments
All states must obey the Federal governmentStates have control of: education, local gov., charters
for corporations, create and oversee civil laws, must protect the welfare of their citizens
Checks and BalancesLegislative Branch-makes laws
Senate and House of RepresentativesExecutive Branch-carries out the laws
President and his departmentsJudicial Branch-interprets the laws
Supreme Court and Federal CourtsChecks and Balances help keep one branch from
having too much power
ConstitutionFinal draft completed September 1787Only three refused to sign itSent to Congress and the states for ratification