1. Constitutional Convention
May – September 1787

2. Basics The 1787 - Philadelphia
Delegates from all the states invited to improve the Articles of Confederation
Only RI didn’t attend
55 Delegates attended

3. Issues of the Convention
POWER STRUGGLE: States vs National Government
Representation in Congress (How many members on Congress would each state get?)
Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue?

4. Leaders of the Convention
George Washington was asked to preside (lead) over the convention.
James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The Father of the Constitution.”
The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “Founding Fathers.”
All the participants in the Convention were wealthy, white, males.

5. The Virginia Plan Written by James Madison
Three separate branches of government. – a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch
Representation in the legislative branch based on population of state
bicameral legislature
People would elect members to the lower house
Lower House members elect members to the Upper House
Large states like the plan because they would have more power in the national government.

6. The New Jersey Plan Written by William Paterson
Three separate branches of government. – a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch
Unicameral National Legislature - has one house
Each state gets one vote
Small states like the plan because it guaranteed equal power in the government

7. The Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise
Bicameral house- benefit all states
One house called Senate
Members chosen by the state legislatures
Each state gets two vote
One house called House of Representatives
Members chosen by population
Number of members based on population

8. 3/5 Compromise favored Southern states
All slaves would be counted in the census for representation in the House as 60% of a person
All slaves would also be counted as 60% towards taxation
Property tax (slaves considered property)
The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued.
It was a terrible compromise to make, but the Northern states had no choice if they wanted a Constitution.

9. Slave Trade and Commerce Compromise
Northern Opinion
Southern Opinion
Commerce: Business or Trade
Wanted the government to have power of trade
Depended on slavery for their livelihood
Feared the North would interfere with the slave trade
Congress could not ban the slave trade until 1808
Congress could not tax exports

10. Federalists vs Anti-Federalists
Did not support the Constitution because
new Constitution gives the National Government TOO much power
Rights of the people not protected
FEDERALISTS
wanted a strong National government
Supported the US Constitution
Wrote the “Federalists” papers to rally support for the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
The compromise:
Include the Bill of Rights (protected freedom)
Patrick Henry