1. Bellwork: 1/29
Compromise: A settlement or agreement reached between two sides, where each side gives something to the other side.
Journal: Describe a time when you had to compromise with someone. Who did you compromise with and what was the compromise?

2. The Great Compromise

3. What were the results of the Great Compromise?
Essential Question
What were the results of the Great Compromise?

4. Upcoming Change
By the mid 1780’s most political leaders agreed the Articles of Confederation need to be changed
Confederation Congress invited each state to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia
Would discuss ways to improve Articles of Confed.
Meeting was called The Constitutional Convention
12 states sent 55 delegates to the convention
Would lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution

5. Constitutional Convention
Key figures present:
James Madison
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Key figures absent
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
How is our country being represented?

6. The Great Compromise
Some members wanted to make small changes to the Articles of Confederation
Some wanted to rewrite the Articles completely
There were also disagreements between:
small and large states; based on how they would be represented in the new government
about slavery
Economic issues such as tariffs
How strong to make the national government

7. Virginia Plan Large-state plan
Written by James Madison
Would give sovereignty-supreme power, to the national government
Divided the gov’t into three branches:
Executive, Judicial, Legislative
Legislature would be bicameral- two houses
# of representatives of the legislature would depend on state population
This would benefit large states, giving them more representatives

8. New Jersey Plan Small-state plan
Proposed keeping Congress’ structure the same
Unicameral-one house legislature
This would give each state an equal # of votes
This would benefit smaller states, as large population had no effect on the # of votes
Convention could not agree after months of debate
A compromise was reached

9. Great Compromise Cont’d
The Great Compromise-
Broke the government into 3 Branches of Government
Bicameral legislature:
Every state, regardless of its size would have an equal vote in the upper house of the legislature
Senate
Each state would have a # of representatives based on its population in the lower house of the legislature
House of Representatives

11. The Three-Fifths Compromise
The debate over representation (how to count people) also led to problems
Some Southern delegates wanted to count slaves as part of their state populations
Northern delegates disagreed, thought it was unfair
Delegates accepted the Three-Fifths compromise.
Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person
(100 slaves = 60)

12. Main Concepts Most of the delegates wanted
a strong national government
Popular Sovereignty- idea that political authority belongs to the people
Balance power of national government with power of the states
Federalism- sharing of power between a central government and the states
Federal gov’t has power to enforce laws
States must obey authority of Federal gov’t
Federal gov’t has the power to use the military to enforce laws
Troops are under the command of the president
States have control over areas not assigned to Federal gov’t

13. Balance of Power Legislative Branch: Congress
Proposes and passes laws
2 houses: Senate and House of Representatives
Executive Branch: President
Enforces laws, assures they are carried out
Commander-in-Chief of the military
Judicial Branch: Courts
Interprets laws, punishes criminals
Settles disputes between states

14. Checks and Balances Kept one branch from gaining too much power Ex:
Congress proposes and passes laws
President can veto, or reject, that law
Congress can override veto with a 2/3 majority vote
Judicial Branch interprets laws to keep other branches from abusing power
Supreme Court reviews laws passed by Congress

15. Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Antifederalists- those that opposed the constitution
Felt the central gov’t had too much power
Upset that no Bill of Rights was included
Federalists- supported the constitution
Felt it offered a good balance of power
Federalist Papers- essays written supporting the Constitution
Many written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton
Propaganda supporting the Constitution

16. Ratification
The Constitution needed approval of 9 states to become ratified
Each state held conventions to give citizens the chance to discuss the Constitution
They could then vote whether or not to ratify it
June 1788, Constitution was ratified

17. Bill of Rights Amendments- official changes, corrections, or additions
The Bill of Rights would appear as a series of Amendments to the Constitution
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights
Made sure the abuses listed in the Declaration of Independence would be illegal
Would protect citizens’ individual rights

18. Constitution’s flexibility
Has clear guidelines and principles
Can be changed and updated to stay current with new times and challenges
Often called a “living constitution”