The Constitutional Convention

The Convention Meets In 1785, representatives from Maryland and Virginia had met at Washington's house to settle business disputes at their border. In 1786, they invited representatives from all the states to Annapolis, MD. Only 5 states showed up. Then, Shays' Rebellion happened. In 1787, 12 of the 13 states (not RI) met in Philadelphia to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation.

Divisions First, they elected Washington as president of the convention unanimously. Then, the arguing began over whether to simply amend, or change, the Articles, or start over.

The Convention Meets They closed the doors, took a vow of secrecy, and James Madison of Virginia proposed (through fellow Virginian Edmund Randolph) a plan to throw out the Articles and write a new plan.

The Virginia Plan

The New Jersey Plan Caught off-guard by this, delegates from New Jersey (led by William Paterson) put together a response in about a week and a half.

The New Jersey Plan

Divisions The Virginia Plan -Legislature can tax and regulate commerce. -Legislature can veto state laws. -Can use the army against the states. -Would also be an executive and judicial branch. -Congress distributed based on population. The New Jersey Plan -Congress can tax and regulate commerce. -Would create executive and judicial branches. -Every state has equal vote in Congress.

Divisions The Great (CT) Compromise (Presented by CT’s Roger Sherman) -Two-house Legislature. -Upper house (Senate) is 2 from each state. -Lower house (House of Representatives) is divided based on population. Three-Fifths Compromise -Three-fifths of slave populations would be counted towards population for dividing the lower house.

Dissent Patrick Henry of Virginia refused to attend the Philadelphia convention. -He distrusted the northern states. -He opposed greater power for a national government. -He thought that, politically, the northern powers would not protect the interest of the southern states. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts left the convention and refused to sign the final document (along with George Mason and Edmund Randolph). -He was opposed to direct democracy, believing that the people could be tricked by demagogues and charlatans. -He was opposed to anything that substantially strengthened the central government and the Constitution’s lack of expression of individual liberties.

Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Constitution Number of Houses in Legislature 2 - Bicameral 1 - Unicameral How Representation is Determined By each state's population -or- Based on how much financial support each state contributes to the national government. Equal representation for each state. Equal representation in the Senate. House of Representatives divided by population. How Representatives are Chosen Popular vote for the House of Representatives. Senators nominated by state governments. Elected by state governments. Popular vote for House, State Legislatures pick Senate.

Structure of the Government

Structure of the Government

Structure of the Government

Congress The House and the Senate each have powers that the other doesn't: -The Senate is closer to the President, and can advise him/her on treaties and appointments. -Bills that raise money must originate in the House. Only Congress can print money, declare war, raise an army and navy, and regulate business. Congress has the power to pass any law that it reasonably needs to carry out its powers.

The President The President has the power to veto laws passed by Congress, is the commander-in-chief of the military, and chooses judges for national courts. The President is elected not by the people, but by the electoral college. The Electoral College gives each state votes equal to the number of Senators and Representatives, who get to elect the President.

Federal Courts Federal judges are independent of the people – they are chosen by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Also, they generally serve for life. The Constitution creates only the Supreme Court; all other Federal courts were created by acts of Congress. Originally the court had very little power – it mostly only heard cases on the circuit, and many early judges quit because of how little power they had. The courts gained the ability to rule laws and executive orders unconstitutional in Marbury v. Madison, in 1801.