1. Creating the Constitution
Chapter 2 Section 4

2. Who were the Framers? 55 delegates attended the convention
George Washington was leader of the convention
Known as the Framers of the Constitution
Worked in secret
Most of what we know today about the convention comes from James Madison’s records
“Father of the Constitution”

3. What plans of government were considered?
2 plans considered: Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan
VA Plan:
Strong central government
3 branches – legislative, executive, judicial
Congress would be bicameral
House would have members chosen from each state
House would choose Senate members

4. What plans of government were considered?
New Jersey Plan:
Suggested by smaller states
One Congress with states represented equally
Congress could impose taxes and regulate trade
“federal executive” – more than one person
Two plans did not agree on representation – by population, state contributions or equal?

5. What compromises were made at the Convention?
Four major compromises
1) representation – delegates from CT suggested a two-part legislature
One part represented according to population
One part represented equally (two from each state)
Became known as the Connecticut or Great Compromise

6. What compromises were made at the Convention?
2) How would slaves be counted? – every five slaves would count the same as three free men
Known as the Three-Fifths Compromise
Compromise between the North and South
3) Who would control trade between states?
Interstate trade – Congress would control trade between states
States control within their state – intrastate trade

7. What compromises were made at the Convention?
4) Who would control trade between countries?
Northern states wanted Congress to control all foreign trade
Southern states sold large amounts of crops to foreign countries. Were afraid they would lose this trade if Congress taxed these goods
Also disagreed about slaves
South worried Congress would stop slave trade

8. What compromises were made at the Convention?
Two sides compromised
Congress got power to control foreign trade
Congress could tax imports but not exports
Delegates also said that Congress could not end the slave trade for 20 years

9. How did the Framers complete their work?
Framers wanted a government “by the people”
Wanted limited government and separation of powers with checks and balances
Smaller issues that caused disagreement
Constitutional Convention was finally over on Sept. 17, 1787
39 delegates signed the Constitution