The American Nation Section 1: A Loose Confederation Section 2: The Constitutional Convention Section 3: Ideas Behind the Constitution Section 4: Ratification and the Bill of Rights Chapter 7: Creating a Republic 1776–1790

The Constitutional Convention Who were the leading delegates to the Constitutional Convention?

Revolutionary Leaders: Benjamin Franklin –signed Declaration of Independence –oldest delegate George Washington –president of convention When the Constitutional Convention met on May 25, 1787, to consider a new system of government, every state except Rhode Island sent representatives. New Generation: Alexander Hamilton –wanted strong central government James Madison –ideas on democratic government influenced others –“Father of the Constitution”

The Constitutional Convention What were the main differences between the two rival plans for the new Constitution?

Virginia Plan Purposed by Edmund Randolph and James Madison of Virginia New Jersey Plan Purposed by William Patterson of New Jersey Supported by large statesSupported by small states Strong national government with three branches. Supported by small states legislative branch—passes laws executive branch—carries out laws judicial branch—courts would decide if laws were carried out fairly Legislative branch—two houses: Seats awarded on basis of population. Larger states would have more representatives than smaller states. Legislative branch—one house: Each state gets one vote. Small states and big states would have equal representation.

The Constitutional Convention What compromises did the delegates have to reach before the Constitution could be signed?

Compromise—a settlement in which each side gives up some demands in order to reach an agreement. Great Compromise –Large states wanted two houses of Congress with a state’s representatives decided according to the state’s population. –Small states wanted Congress to have one house and each state to have two senators. –The compromise—a two-house legislature (bicameral). –Members of the lower house—the House of Representatives—would be elected by popular vote. Seats would be awarded according to population. –Members of the upper house—the Senate—would be chosen by state legislatures. Each state would have two senators.

Three-Fifths Compromise Southerners wanted to include slaves in the population count to determine seats in the House, even though they could not vote. Northerners objected. Since slaves could not vote, they should not be counted. The compromise - Three fifths of the slaves in any state would be counted. The Slave Trade Northerners wanted to ban the slave trade. Southerners said a ban on the slave trade would ruin their economy. The compromise - Congress would not outlaw the slave trade for at least 20 years. After that, Congress could regulate the slave trade. Meanwhile, no state could stop a fugitive slave from being returned.

Section 2 Assessment In the Great Compromise the delegates decided Congress would have a) two houses, one where each state had two senators and one with seats awarded according to state populations. b) one house, in which each state had one vote. c) two houses, both with seats awarded according to state populations. d) one house, in which seats are awarded according to state populations. What did the Constitutional Convention decide to do about the slave trade in the United States? a) ban the slave trade in the entire nation b) do nothing c) allow each state to decide forever for itself d) say Congress could not outlaw the slave trade for 20 years, then could reconsider

Section 2 Assessment In the Great Compromise the delegates decided Congress would have a) two houses, one where each state had two senators and one with seats awarded according to state populations. b) one house, in which each state had one vote. c) two houses, both with seats awarded according to state populations. d) one house, in which seats are awarded according to state populations. What did the Constitutional Convention decide to do about the slave trade in the United States? a) ban the slave trade in the entire nation b) do nothing c) allow each state to decide forever for itself d) say Congress could not outlaw the slave trade for 20 years, then could reconsider