2. Constitutional Convention
55 delegates from 12 states (all but RI)
Met to amend the Articles of Confederation
Some called the convention illegal.
Working in secrecy to avoid outside pressure
James Madison (father of the Constitution)

3. Different Constitutional Plans
The New Jersey Plan
Unicameral Congress
Equal representation for States of different sizes
More than one federal executive
The Virginia Plan
Three branches of government
Bicameral legislature
“National Executive” and “National Judiciary”

4. Constitutional Compromises
The Great Compromise
Delegates agreed on a bicameral Congress, one segment with equal representation for States, and the other with representation proportionate to the States’ populations.
The Three-Fifths Compromise
The Framers decided to count a slave as three-fifths of a person when determining the population of a State.
The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Congress was forbidden from taxing exported goods, and was not allowed to act on the slave trade for 20 years.

5. Constitutional Compromises
The Three-Fifths Compromise
The Framers decided to count a slave as three-fifths of a person when determining the population of a State.
The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Congress was forbidden from taxing exported goods, and was not allowed to act on the slave trade for 20 years.

6. Weaknesses of the Constitution
No Bill of Rights
Not Completely Democratic
Senators elected by state legislatures
President elected by electoral college
Slavery not abolished
Slave trade would end in 1808, slavery in 1865
Did not include universal suffrage
African-Americans could not vote until 1869 (15th)
Women in 1919 (19th)

7. The Great Debate Anti-Federalists – opposed ratification
No bill of rights
Powerful central government
Federalists – supported ratification
Articles were too weak
States had their own bill of rights
Separation of Powers limited the government

8. Ratification 9 states required
New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify in June of 1788
Inauguration of the government did not happen until Virginia and New York ratified two months later.