1. Section 3
Chapter 7
The Constitution

2. Focus Questions
Why did the delegates meet for the Constitutional Convention?
What were some of the main issues debated and compromises reached at the Constitutional Convention?
How is the federal government balanced under the U.S. Constitution?

3. The Constitutional Convention
By mid 1780s many new it was time for a change to the Articles of Confederation
In 1787 there was a meeting called in Philadelphia to discus improving the Articles
The Constitutional Convention was held in May of 1787 and was held in Independence Hall

4. The Constitutional Convention
Rhode Island was the only delegation not present
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest member
James Madison proved to be the most important delegates at the convention

5. The Constitutional Convention
George Washington was a Virginia representative and was elected president of the convention
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were serving as ambassadors and were not there
Patrick Henry was also not in attendance because he did not believe the meeting was necessary

6. The Great Compromise
Some delegates wanted to rewrite the Articles, some wanted to make small changes
The Virginia Plan was proposed four days into the convention
New Federal government that gave supreme power to the central government
Divided the government into executive, judicial, and legislative branches
Legislative would be bicameral and each state would be represented based on population

7. The Great Compromise
The New Jersey Plan was offered after two weeks of debate
Unicameral legislature and each state would get the same amount of representatives
Central government could tax citizens and regulate commerce
The debate over the two types of government waged on

8. The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise was when a new plan was constructed that called for a lower house to be based off of population and a higher house that was equally represented by all states

9. The Three-Fifths Compromise
Southern states wanted slaves to be counted as their population when it came to determining Congressional seats but did not want to count them when it came to paying taxes
The Three-Fifths Compromise counted each slave as three-fifths of person
Northern delegates had to also agree to wait 20 years before seeking to end the slave trade

10. Our Living Constitution
Most delegates wanted a strong national government but also wanted to protect popular sovereignty—political authority belongs to the people
They also formed a federalist system- the power is shared between a central government and the states that make up a country
Under the Constitution, states have control over government functions not specifically assigned to the Federal Government

11. A Delicate Balance The Federal Government has three branches
The legislative branch is responsible for proposing and passing laws
Senate has two representatives
House of Representatives– represented according to population
Executive Branch– includes the president and that help run the government
Judicial Branch– national courts– interpreting the laws

12. A Delicate Balance
The framers crated a system of checks and balances– keeps any branch from becoming too powerful
The framers new the Constitution was not a perfect document

13. A Delicate Balance
In September of 1787 the delegates signed the final draft of the Constitution
The Constitution was then sent to the states for ratification

14. Focus Questions
Why did the delegates meet for the Constitutional Convention?
What were some of the main issues debated and compromises reached at the Constitutional Convention?
How is the federal government balanced under the U.S. Constitution?