1. Creating the Constitution
Chapter 4 section 3
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2. Constitutional Convention
In February 1787, the Continental Congress invited states to send delegates to Philadelphia to improve the Articles of Confederation.
This meeting was called the Constitutional Convention.

3. Disagreements…
Some delegates only wanted smaller changes made while others wanted bigger changes.
Small and large states had different ideas about representation, taxes, tariffs, and slavery.
Delegates also disagreed over how strong to make the national government.
There were 2 plans that were submitted…

4. The Virginia Plan (Large State Plan)
Bicameral legislature (two houses with representatives based on population)
3 branches of government: Judicial, Legislative and Executive.
Written by James Madison and Edmund Randolph.
Gave more power to the national government.

5. The New Jersey Plan (Small State Plan)
Written by William Paterson
Also called for 3 branches of government.
Unicameral legislature (ONE house). States would have an equal voice in congress.
Representatives elected by state governments, not the people.
Gave the government power to raise taxes, regulate trade, and enforce national laws.
Executive branch made up of several people.

6. The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Written by Roger Sherman.
Created a Bicameral, or two house legislature.
One house would have two reps from each state and the other would have reps based on population.
Settled the large vs small state debate.

7. Three-Fifths Compromise
Southern states wanted slaves to count as part of the population.
Northern states believed that because slaves could not vote, they shouldn’t be counted as part of the population.
As a result of the 3/5ths compromise, 3/5ths of state’s slave population would be counted.
Southerners had to pay taxes based on slaves.

8. Other compromises
The southern economy depended on the exports of agricultural products.
Northerners wanted to end the practice of slavery.
The slave trade would be abolished in 20 years. Many thought this would bring an end to slavery.