1. Creating the Constitution
Constitutional Convention 1787

2. Challenge
Government that protects people’s rights
Government that can be controlled
Convention
Philadelphia, 1787
George Washington - president
Secret discussions

3. Virginia Plan
3 branches
legislature – make laws
executive – enforce laws
judiciary – interpret laws
Legislature – 2 houses
Representation - based on population
Benefits large states

4. New Jersey Plan
Legislature – 1 house
Representation – equal representation

5. Great Compromise
How should the states be represented in the Congress?
Legislature – 2 houses
Senate – equal
representation
House of Representatives –
based on population

6. Three-Fifths Compromise
How should slaves be counted as part of the state’s population?
South: Population – yes
Taxation - no
North: Population – no
Taxation – yes

7. 3/5 slave population taxes & representation
Ban slave trade 1808

8. Electoral College
How should the President be elected?
Federal Power Supporters - president be selected by the national legislature
State’s Rights Supporters - direct election by the people
Compromise - have electors chosen by the various state legislatures elect the president.

9. Ratifying the Constitution
Federalism – gov’t power shared between federal gov’t & states
Federalists
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay

10. Ideas Supported Strong central government
Favored ratification of Constitution
No Bill of Rights needed – powers
of government limited

11. Publications
The Federalist Papers - essays which argued support for the Constitution / ratification

12. Anti-Federalists
Patrick Henry, George Mason, Richard Henry Lee

13. Ideas Supported States Rights Opposed ratification of Constitution
Must have Bill of Rights

14. Publications
Anti-Federalist Writings - argued against the Constitution

15. Ratification Bill of Rights 1791 ratified
June 1788 – 9 states ratified Virginia & New York ratified but demanded bill of rights
Bill of Rights
10 Amendments
1791 ratified