1. Creating the U.S. Constitution
Standard 5c

2. Constitutional Convention: Creating a Constitution
Philadelphia 1787
Delegates from all 13 colonies gather to create a new constitution
James Madison keeps a detailed record of what goes on everyday.
For this reason, he is known as the Father of the Constitution.
The greatest argument at the convention was over representation in the legislature.
Small states were worried bigger states would have more power
Big states were worried smaller states would have an unfair say in government
A compromise was needed to create a new government.

3. Constitutional Convention: Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan
Proposed by James Madison at the Constitutional Convention.
Plan called for a bicameral legislature with membership based on each state’s population.
Representatives from small states were very opposed to this as it would give more power to large states.
Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, all large states, supported this measure.

4. Constitutional Convention: New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Peterson at the Constitutional Convention
Plan called for a unicameral legislature in which each state had an equal vote.
Representatives from large states were very opposed to this as it would make smaller states equal to them.

5. Constitutional Convention: Great Compromise
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Presented by Roger Sherman from Connecticut.
Established a bicameral legislature with two houses, Congress & the Senate.
The House was elected directly by people & each state was granted a certain amount of representatives based on population
The Senate’s members were elected by state legislatures, with each state having only two, no matter what the population
This Compromise creates the U.S. Constitution

6. The U.S. Constitution: Features
Written document that is the law of the U.S.
It can be amended or changed
It is made of 7 articles, or parts
It is founded on two foundational principles, limited government, & separation of powers

7. The U.S. Constitution: Features
Limited Government
John Locke wrote that people have certain inalienable rights; life, liberty, and property
Government gets permission to exist from people
People can alter or abolish government
Heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson in his writing of the Declaration of Independence

8. The U.S. Constitution: Features
Separation of Powers
The Constitution divides the government into 3 different branches
Charles de Montesquieu
Philosopher that created the idea of separation of powers

9. The U.S. Constitution: Features
Separation of Powers
3 Branches
The Executive
The President
The Legislative
Congress & Senate
The Judicial
Supreme Court & all other courts

10. The U.S. Constitution: Features
Checks & Balances
Each branch can check the other branch.
For example, the President can appoint Supreme Court Justices, but the Senate must confirm his choice.
Congress can override a President veto of their legislation
Through the “power of the purse” Congress can appropriate funds for government agencies & the militaries.

11. The U.S. Constitution: Branches
The Legislative Branch
A bicameral legislature.
Made up of the House of Representatives & the Senate
The House is based on population; every state gets two senators.
A member of the House must be at least 25
A member of the Senate must be at least 30.
The House has the power of the “purse” meaning it controls government funds.

12. The U.S. Constitution: Branches
The Executive Branch
The President, & his departments.
The President must be at least 35.

13. Constitutional Convention: The Issue of Slavery
Southern states had more slaves than the north because their region was based in agriculture
Southern states wanted to the slave population in their representation for the House
This would have given the control of the House as the North did not have as many slaves
A compromise was needed once again

14. Constitutional Convention: The Issue of Slavery
The Three-Fifths Compromise
Each slave was counted for voting purposes as three-fifths of a person
For every five slaves, a state was credited for having 3 white people.
Slave Trade Compromise
No restrictions on the importation of slaves for 20 years after ratification of the Constitution, or until 1808.
After the 20 years Congress could regulate the slave trade

15. Constitutional Convention: Ratification?
Ratifying the Constitution
Throughout the process, there had been concern that a strong Constitution would take all power from the states.
However, The U.S. Constitution, minus ANY amendments, was finalized on September 17, 1787.
Today the 17th of September is recognized as Constitution Day.
Now its supporters would seek to promote the document so that 9 states would ratify it.
Many were still concerned that the document did not have a Bill of Rights to protect the fundamental rights & liberties of the people.