1. Constitutional Convention Discussion of Representation
Met in Philadelphia (May 25, 1787)
Agreed upon the following:
Disagreed on: Where should the government’s power come from? From the states or the people?
Unalienable Rights
Just Powers
Consent of the governed
Government with 3 Branches

2. Congress Legislative Branch
Our Congress is the Branch of Government that makes laws.
There was a big argument by the framers as to who should be in congress (the numbers of representatives).
Is Representation important? Why?

3. The Virginia Plan Vs. The New Jersey Plan
Why would larger states want the representation based on population? How could this affect voting?

4. The Great Compromise The Results: Bicameral Legislative Branch
The House of Representatives – based on population
The Senate – maintaining equal representation from all states
Is this compromise still important today?
Did you hear about the recent Government shutdown?

5. Congress Results of the Great Comprise – 2 house Congress
Texas has 36 members in the House of Representatives.
John Cornyn & Ted Cruz
Congress
What position is more prestigious, a member of the House of Representatives or a State Senator? Which do you think we get the most President candidates from? Why?

6. # of House of Representative Members
How would the number of Representatives effect a State when it comes to policy making?

9. Pick one of the Questions
Hypothesis how our Government would be different today if they would not have had the “Great Compromise,” and they just picked one plan or the other?
Predict how America would change if we went to a unicameral congress.

10. Think-Aloud
Who did the framers of the constitution think had too much power? Why?
Why was it important for the power of the Central Government to be divided?
How are “checks and balances” important for divided power?
Is the authority of the central government still an issue today?

11. Separation of Power
The framers divided the power of the Federal Government into three branches.
Executive Branch – President (Enforces Laws)
Judicial Branch – Supreme Court (Interprets Laws)
Legislative Branch – Congress (Makes Laws)
There was a great debate on how to set up Congress. It was very important to all the states since Congress is the branch that actually makes laws!

12. Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist
Only 39 of the 55 representatives signed the constitution, and Rhode Island did not even send representatives.
Why didn’t everyone sign? What had to be added in order to win the approval of all the states?
Federalist vs Anti-Federalist
The Constitution with the _____ __ ______ was finally ratified in 1791 – 4 years after the convention.