A New Government

Constitutional Convention From May 25 to September 17, 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention met to revise the Articles of Confederation. It became clear very quickly that a new constitution would have to be made.

Federalism Powers would be shared between the state and central government

Separation of Powers Create 3 branches of government and each branch would have its own powers

Checks and Balances Some powers would overlap to make sure one branch did not become to powerful

Government Set Up 3 Branches of government created Executive Branch – president – enforce/execute laws Legislative Branch – Congress- make laws Judicial Branch – Supreme Court – interpret/judge laws

Representation Equal representation and equal voting power New Jersey Plan (small states) Virginia Plan (big states) Equal representation and equal voting power Base representation on population and each representative gets a vote

House of Representatives Great Compromise Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 Representatives Representation based on population

Counting Slaves? Property vs People 3/5 Compromise – count slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation

Slavery Slave Trade – continue for at least 20 more years Slavery – nothing done

Ratification Federalists Supported the Constitution Typically the elite – older men Write Federalists Papers– illustrate the need for a strong national government

Ratification Anti-Federalists Only support Constitution if add a Bill of Rights Thought the new government was too strong Many were farmers

Ratified Ratified by 9 of 13 states to go into effect NC was one of the last to ratify document because feared it was too strong Do add a Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments to Constitution protecting the rights of individuals and the states