Main people at the Constitutional Convention (May 1787 – Philadelphia) George Washington – elected to chair the meeting – did not take sides James Madison – Virginia – “Father of the Constitution” Gouverneur Morris – Penn. – Wrote most of the Constitution Alexander Hamilton – New York – main supporter of strong central gov. Ben Franklin – Penn. – 81 years old – calming influence on delegates

Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution (May, 1787 – Philadelphia) Step 1 – decided to abandon the Articles of Confederation Step 2 – Virginia Plan (James Madison) Federal system – states keep certain powers but final authority is national government 3 parts to government – congress(2 houses), executive, courts 2 Houses – lower – people vote for members - upper – representatives of lower house would pick Number of reps. is determined by state population Reasons why some disagreed with plan – Didn’t believe common people could elect correct people Not enough power for the states Small populated states would not be represented fairly

Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Step 3 – New Jersey Plan (William Paterson) 3 parts – congress(1 house), executive, courts 1 house – members chosen by state governments same number of representatives for each state Reasons why some disagreed with plan – People not electing reps. Larger states would not be represented fairly

Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Step 4 – The Great Compromise Congress ( 2 houses ) Lower – House of Representatives - elected by the people - number depends on pop. Upper – Senate - picked by state governments - each state would have 2 Other compromises – 5 slaves = 3 people (Three-fifths Compromise) - trade – Congress to control trade between states and with other countries - tax on imports but not exports - election of President – use Electoral College – qualified voters equal to number of Reps. & Senators for each state

Drafting & Ratifying the Constitution Step 5 – Ratifying the Constitution 9 of 13 states had to ratify Constitution before it becomes “law of the land” Groups that favored the Constitution were called Federalists Groups that did not favor the Constitution were called Anti-Federalists Thomas Jefferson said that it needed a Bill of Rights to protect freedoms (first 10 Amendments)

1. Delaware ( ) 2. Pennsylvania ( ) 3. New Jersey 4. Georgia 5. Connecticut 6. Massachusetts 7. Maryland 8. South Carolina 9. New Hampshire 10. Virginia 11. New York 12. North Carolina 13. Rhode Island