1. Section 4
Mr. Gordon

2. The Constitutional Convention
At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, delegates debated competing plans—the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan—for how the new government should be organized.
To finalize the Constitution, delegates compromised on key issues.

3. The Constitutional Convention
Main Idea
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention compromised on key issues to create a plan for a strong national government.
Reading Focus
Why did the Constitutional Convention draft a new plan for government?
How did the rival plans for the new government differ?
What other conflicts required the Framers to compromise?

6. Drafting a New Constitution
The Convention Meets
May 25, 1787: convention gets underway with representatives of 12 of the 13 states
Rhode Island, fearing weaker state powers, sent no delegation.
Delegates worked to draft the framework for a new government.
Meetings were held in strict secrecy without press or public.

7. Drafting a New Constitution
Framers of the Constitution
55 delegates, known as Framers of the Constitution
One-third had served in the Continental Army.
8 had signed Declaration of Independence
George Washington, president of convention
James Madison a major influence

8. Drafting a New Constitution
Delegates gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ended up with an entirely new plan for government.

10. Rival plans The Virginia Plan
One of two rival plans for creating a new form of government which emerged at the convention
Based on the ideas of James Madison, The Virginia Plan called for a central government divided into three branches— legislative, executive, judicial—each branch with power to check the others.
Called for strong national government with power to make laws, levy taxes, control interstate commerce, override state laws
Called for bicameral legislature with membership based on state’s population; lower house members elected directly by the people; upper house members selected by state legislatures

11. Rival plans
The New Jersey Plan
Delegates from small states concerned that Virginia Plan gave too much power to large states
The New Jersey Plan called for a strong central government made up of three branches, but was designed to stick closer to the Articles of Confederation.
Called for unicameral legislature
Each state would have one vote, with equal representation regardless of its population.
Despite support from small states, the plan was ultimately rejected at the Convention.

14. Conflict and Compromise
For weeks after the rejection of the New Jersey Plan, the Convention was deadlocked. Tempers flared, and at times it seemed the Convention would fall apart. In the end, a series of compromises saved the Convention.

15. Conflict and compromise
The Great Compromise
June 30, 1787: Roger Sherman presented The Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise).
Elements of both plans
Bicameral legislature: lower house number based on state’s population, upper house with two members each
Lower house elected directly by the people; upper house selected by state legislatures

16. Conflict and compromise
Compromise Over Slavery
Key points: whether slaves should be counted as part of state’s population; whether importation of enslaved people should be allowed to continue
Counting slaves would greatly increase population and power of southern states
Three-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted to determine a state’s population.
Compromise on slave trade allowed it to continue protected for the next 20 years

18. Conflict and Compromise {continued}
Presidential Election
Some wanted president elected directly by the people; others by the state legislatures or the national legislature
Compromise: state electors
Number of state electors equal to number of representatives in both houses of Congress; chosen by popular vote
If no candidate received majority vote, House of Representatives would choose president

19. Conflict and Compromise {continued}
Finalizing the Constitution
Debated issues, settled disputes, made key decisions during summer of 1787
Benjamin Franklin said document was as close to perfect as possible, to overlook parts they did not like and “act heartily and unanimously” in signing Constitution
Some delegates refused to sign because it did not include a bill of rights.
39 delegates from 12 states signed Constitution
Convention adjourned September 17, 1787