1. The Key People, Events, and Ideas that Shaped the Document
The Constitution
The Key People, Events, and Ideas that Shaped the Document

2. The Constitutional Convention
When: May 1787
Where: Philadelphia – at the State House – now called Independence Hall
Purpose: Amend the Articles of Confederation

3. The Constitutional Convention
Who: 55 representatives from 12 states
Includes:
Ben Franklin - oldest
James Madison – important!!
George Washington - elected president of the Convention

4. Issues at the Convention
Some wanted to make small changes to the Articles
Others wanted to rewrite the whole document
States were divided on major issues
Representation in the national government
Slavery
Tariffs
How strong to make the national government

5. The Virginia Plan Written by James Madison
Central government would have supreme power
3 Branches
Bicameral (2 house) legislature
Representation based on population
Good for large states

6. The New Jersey Plan Written by William Paterson Keep Congress the same
Unicameral (1 house)
Based on equal number per state
Congress’ laws become “supreme law of all states”
Power to tax
Power to regulate commerce
Good for small states

7. Debating Argued about the formation of the government for over a month
Created a committee to decide on issue of representation
Decided on a compromise

8. The Great Compromise

9. Slavery and the New Government
Southerners wanted slaves to count as part of population
Would get more representatives in the House of Representatives
Northerners wanted slaves to count for the purposes of taxes
Not to be considered for representation

10. Slavery and the New Government
The Northern and Southern states were divided about slaves as members of the population

11. Slavery in the New Government
At the time, the majority of the states used slave labor. However, there were more slaves in the southern states than in the northern states.

12. Slavery in the New Government
Decided to count slaves, but only as a fraction
Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person in determining representation for Congress
Called the Three-Fifths Compromise

13. Another Compromise
Some delegates wanted an immediate end to the slave trade
Some southerners threatened to leave the Union if the slave trade ended
Compromise:
Southerners give up fight about having 2/3 of Congress pass laws IF
Northerners wait 20 years to stop the slave trade

14. Major Constitutional Ideas
Want to protect popular sovereignty
Establish a system of federalism
Shared power between central and state governments
States must obey authority of central government
States DO get local control over some issues
Local government, education, provide for the welfare of citizens

16. A Balance of Power Created 3 branches of government
Legislative – proposes and passes laws
“Congress”
Senate = 2 members from each state
House of Representatives = members based on population
Executive – carries out the laws
Creates departments to enforce the laws
Judicial – interpreting the laws
Court system

18. A Balance of Power Established a system of checks and balances
Keeps each branch from becoming too powerful
Most actions of one branch must be “checked” by another branch
Ex: Congress passes a law. The president can “veto” (reject) that law.
Congress can override the veto with a vote of 2/3 of its members
Judicial branch can review that law and declare it “unconstitutional” = power of judicial review

19. Wrapping up the Convention
Lasted for 16 weeks
Final draft finished in September 1787
Sent Constitution to Congress
Congress sent it to the states to be ratified