Chapter Five U.S. History Mr. Kissam A More Perfect Union 1777 to 1790 Chapter Five U.S. History Mr. Kissam

Creating the Constitution The Big Idea A new constitution provided a framework for a stronger national government. Main Ideas The Constitutional Convention met to improve the government of the United States. The issue of representation led to the Great Compromise. Regional debate over slavery led to the Three-Fifths Compromise. The U.S. Constitution created federalism and a balance of power.

Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787 The goal of the Constitutional Convention was to improve the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention Convention leaders included James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington (who was elected Convention President).

“Father of the Constitution” James Madison began preparing for the Constitutional Convention in the fall of 1786 by reading works of political history, republicanism, and modern political theory.

Constitutional Convention Missing from the Convention were John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. Ultimately the delegates decided to create a new U.S. Constitution.

“Secret Meetings” Can you imagine sitting in a hot room wearing a heavy suit and stockings? How about doing so in the middle of summer? The weather in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention was very hot and humid. Moreover, the delegates kept the windows closed to keep out flies and to prevent passerby from listening.

The Great Compromise Several issues divided the delegates at the Constitutional Convention. Some wanted only small changes, while others wanted to rewrite the Articles completely.

The Great Compromise Those delegates who wanted major changes to the Articles had different goals. Small and large states had different ideas about representation , economic concern, and slavery. Delegates also disagreed over how strong to make the national government.

Virginia Plan Edmund Randolph presented the Virginia Plan. The Virginia Plan planned for a bicameral legislature in which the number of delegates per state would be based on a states’ population. It also proposed a new federal constitution that would give supreme power to the central government.

New Jersey Plan The smaller states came up with a plan to keep the larger states from getting to much power. New Jersey Plan gave smaller states equal representation with larger states in a unicameral legislature. Gave the government power to tax citizens in all states. The government could also regulate commerce.

Compromise is reached After month of debate, the convention reached a deadlock. Finally, Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed a compromise plan.

The Great Compromise The Great Compromise resolved issue with a two- house or bicameral legislature. An upper house—the Senate—provided for two representatives from each state. A lower house—the House of Representatives— provided for representation based on state population.

Three-Fifth’s Compromise The debate over representation also involved regional differences. Southern delegates wanted slaves to be counted as part of their population. Northern delegates feared that it would give southern states to much power, and wanted slaves counted only to determine taxes but not for representation

Three-Fifth’s Compromise The Three Fifths Compromise resolved the differences by counting each slave as three-fifths of a person when determining representation. Another major issue was slave trade and Congress’s ability to tax imports and exports.

The Commerce Compromise The Commerce Compromises allowed Congress to levy tariffs on imports only, and allowed for the importation of slaves for twenty more years. Slaves were not mentioned in the Constitution, they referred instead to “free Persons” and “all other Persons.”

The Living Constitution Many delegates wanted a strong national government. At the same time, they wanted to protect popular sovereignty (idea that political authority resided in the people) The delegates also wanted to balance the power of the central government with the power of the states.

The Living Constitution Therefore, the delegates created federalism: sharing of power between states and central government of a country. Under the Constitution, required states to obey authority of the federal government Gave states control over functions not assigned to the federal government Such as local government, education, civil and criminal law, and chartering corporations.

Checks and Balances Constitution designed to balance power among three branches of government. Legislative branch to make the laws Executive branch to carry out the laws Judicial branch to interpret the laws System of checks and balances keeps branches from becoming too powerful. Congress has power to pass bills into law. President can veto laws passed. Supreme Court can strike down unconstitutional laws.

Branches of Government

“Checks & Balances”

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton gave one of the longest speeches during the convention. He suggested that the president position should be for life and that the government should be set up like Britain's. The delegates politely listened to him and then completely ignored what he had to say.

Ratification The final draft of the Constitution was completed in September 17, 1787. 39 out of the 42 delegates signed the Constitution. The delegates sent the document to be ratified by the Confederation Congress and then to the states. Delegates knew that it was not a perfect document, but they believed they had protected the ideas of republicanism.

Questions page 163-168 What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention? How did the Great Compromise combine elements of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans? How did the Three-Fifths Compromise resolve the debate? What is popular sovereignty? What is the main responsibility of each branch of government?