1. Creating the Constitution
Chapter 2
Section 4

2. The Framers Constitutional Convention
Came together in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787
Meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation
12 of the 13 states, all but RI, sent delegates.
74 delegates were chosen in total, only 55 actually attended.
“An assembly of demi-gods.” – TJ
Framers of the Constitution:
Had wide knowledge and public experience
Many fought in the Revolution
46 were members of the Continental Congress or the Congress of the Confederation
8 served in constitutional conventions in their states
7 had been state governors
8 had signed the Declaration of Independence
34 attended college when there were few of them
2 became President of the US
1 became Vice President
19 later served in the Senate
13 would serve in the House

3. Organization and Procedure
George Washington was president of the convention.
Adopted several rules:
A majority of the States would be needed to conduct business.
Each state delegation had one vote on all matters.
Majority of the votes cast would carry any proposal.
Originally met “for the sole and express purpose” of revising the Articles of Confederation.
Almost at once the framers agreed to create an entirely new government and set out to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

4. Proposals Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan
Written by James Madison
Gov’t divided into 3 branches – Legislative, Executive, Judicial
The legislature – Congress – would be bicameral.
Senate and House of Representatives
Large state plan  wanted representation in Congress based on population; Large states have more power than small.
The New Jersey Plan
3 branches – Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Small state plan  Called for a unicameral Congress with each of the States equally represented; all states have the same power.
Key disagreement was on how the States should be represented in Congress.

5. Compromises Connecticut Compromise (Crash Course)
Aka “The Great Compromise”.
Conflict was settled by the compromise from the CT delegation.
Combined basic features of both plans.
Congress would be composed of two houses.
In the smaller Senate, the States would be represented equally.
In the House, the representation of each State would be based upon is population.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Should slaves be counted in figuring the populations?
Southern states said yes, Northern said no
All “free persons” should be counted, and so too, should “three fifths of all other person”.
This number was used in fixing the amount of money to be raised by taxes… Southerners could count the slaves but they had to pay.

6. Compromises (con’t) Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Framers agreed that Congress must have the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade.
Agricultural Southern states and commercial Northern States disagreed on how this should be done.
Congress was forbidden the power to tax the export of goods from any State.
It was also forbidden the power to act on the slave trade for a period of at least 20 years.