1. Creating and Ratifying the Constitution

2. The Virginia Plan Mostly designed by Madison
Described a government with a president, courts, and a two house congress
Representation in Congress would be based on the state’s population

3. The New Jersey Plan
Called for a government similar to the Articles of Confederation
One House of Congress with equal representation to all states

4. The Great Compromise Suggested by the Connecticut delegates
Two houses of Congress
One house- equal representation, the other- representation based on population

5. 3/5ths Compromise
Compromise on slavery for representation and taxation
Southern states wanted slaves counted as part of the states population
Northern states opposed the idea
Compromised to count the slaves as 3/5ths of other persons

6. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Northern states felt that Congress should regulate trade with other countries
Southern states feared that Congress would use the power to tax exports and interfere with the slave trade
Compromise: Congress would regulate trade, but could not interfere with the slave trade for 20 years nor tax exports

7. The Electoral College
Compromise on the selection process of the President
Some delegates thought Congress should choose the President/ others thought elected by the people
Each state legislature would choose a number of electors (today: electors are elected)
The electors select the President & the Vice President

8. The delegates sign the Constitution on September 17, 1787

9. Ratification of the Constitution
Constitution would become law when ratified by 9 of the 13 states

10. Anti-Federalists Openly opposed the Constitution
Felt too much power was given to the federal government
Lacked a Bill of Rights: no provision for basic liberties

11. Federalists Supported the Constitution
Many helped write the Constitution
Argued that a nation would not survive with out a strong central government
Argument supported by the failure of the Articles of Confederation

12. “The Federalists” papers written by Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, defended the Constitution
Agreed with the Anti-Federalists that a Bill of Rights was needed
-promised that if Constitution was
ratified, Bill of Rights would be added

13. Ratification
Promise by the Federalists encouraged New Hampshire, the 9th state, to ratify in June, 1788
Constitution becomes law
In time, all states ratify, with Rhode Island being the last in 1790