1. The Constitutional Convention
A Few Problems to Sort Out

2. Background
A convention was called from May 25 to September 17, 1787 to fix the failing Articles of Confederation.
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Delegates from 12 states attended most of the meetings (Rhode Island did not attend)
Debates closed to the public

3. Who’s Who at the Convention?
Alexander Hamilton
Delegate from New York
A Strict Federalist
George Washington
Unanimously elected president of the convention

4. James Madison Roger Sherman Benjamin Franklin Delegate from Virginia
Considered the ‘father of the constitution’ because of all the notes he kept
Roger Sherman
Delegate from Connecticut
Helped to develop the ‘Great Compromise’
Benjamin Franklin
Delegate from Pennsylvania
Famous diplomat (travelled to foreign countries)

6. Issues facing the Convention
How should people be represented in government?
What should Congress look like?
What should people do about slavery?

7. Key Conflicts of the Constitutional Convention
Strong Central Gov’t
Strong State Gov’t
Authority comes from the people
Federal government has more power than the states
Authority comes from the states
States remain stronger than the federal government
Large States
Small States
Congress should have 2 houses – BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Representation is based on population of a state in both houses
Congress should have 1 house- UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Each state has one vote in Congress regardless of size or population
North
South
Slaves should NOT count towards a state’s population
Slaves should be taxed
Slave trade should be limited or stopped altogether
Congress should pass TARIFFS and taxes to protect business
Slaves SHOULD count towards a state’s population
Slaves should NOT be taxed
Slave trade should not be regulated by the national government
Congress should NOT pass TARIFFS

8. Representation The Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph
Wanted a bicameral Congress
States would gain reps based on the population
Wanted for a national government that consisted of three branches with supreme power
Legislative, executive, judicial
Supported by larger states of the south

9. Representation The New Jersey Plan One house Congress (unicameral)
All states have an equal vote (similar to the Articles of Confederation)
States were thought of as independent
Support by the smaller states

10. The Great Compromise Suggested by Roger Sherman
Decided on a bicameral legislation (Congress)
The House of Representatives
Based on state’s population (435 members today)
Senate
Represented by an equal number from each state (100 members today)

11. Should slaves count in the population?
The south wanted to count slaves as part of their population while northern states did not want this. Why?

12. The Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise
For every five slaves, the state would receive a count of three people towards their representatives
Created by James Wilson and Roger Sherman

13. …But What About Trade?
Southern states wanted the states to have control over the regulation of trade
Feared a national ban on the slave trade
Feared a duty (tax) on agricultural exports
Northern States wanted the national government to regulate trade
Wanted the national government to be able to collect tariffs and duties

15. Another Problem!?
Nearly every state agreed that there was a need for strong central figures, such as a president.
However, the issue of how to elect the new president, and about how that office should be served arose.

16. Southern States Wanted the state legislations to elect the president
Wanted the president to serve a short term
Wanted a limit on the number of terms a president could serve

17. Northern States
Wanted the direct election of the president by qualified voters
Wanted a longer term for the president
Did not want any limits on the number of terms a president could serve

18. Presidential Compromise
Indirect election of the president by the Electoral College
4 year term
No limit on the number of terms*
* A two limit term was added by the 22nd amendment in 1951

19. Ratification
In order to make the constitution official, 9 of the 13 states had to approve
Special elections were held
delegates were chosen by voters for a state convention
Those delegates would vote to approve or reject the constitution.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists…