Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 toSeptember 17, 1787

Purpose of the Constitutional Convention

The goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation. It was quickly decided by the delegates to replace it. Did they have the

legality to do so?

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

Philadelphia 1787

•53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.

•They met in Indepedence Hall.

•On average their were about 30 delegates their every day.

• James Madison was the only delegate to never miss a day.

Virginia PlanProposed by big states

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral (2 Houses)

Elected by the people

Elected by the 1st house

# of Congressmen determined by state population

Based on Population

New Jersey PlanSupported by smaller states

Lawmaking body:

Unicameral (1 House)

Based on Equality

Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes

New Jersey PlanVirginia Plan

1. Favored by Small States

2. One house of

Congress

3. Each state would have equal representation

4. Similar to the Articles of Confederation

1. Favored by Large States

2. Two houses of Congress

3. Representation based on population

4. Created a stronger national government

1. Plans to change the Articles of Confederation

2. Congress could regulate trade and collect taxes

3. How to decide on representation in Congress

The Great CompromiseThis was a combination of both plans…

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)

House of Representatives

Senate

# of reps. would depend on populations

Each state gets 2 representatives

Bicameral = 2 Houses

Senate House of Representatives

How did the Constitution deal with the issue of slavery?

Slavery and the ConstitutionShould slaves be counted when determining how many representatives a state will have?

Solution

Problem 1 Problem 2Should the Constitution ban the slave trade?

Solution

Slavery and the ConstitutionShould slaves be counted when determining how many representatives a state will have?

SolutionThree-Fifths Compromise.

Five slaves would be equal to only three white people when counting

them for representation.

Problem 1 Problem 2Should the Constitution ban the international slave trade?

Solution Congress could not ban the slave trade for another 20 years.

Separation of Powers( How the Government will be organized )

Legislative Executive Judicial

3 Branches

House of Reps.

Senate

=

Congress Makes Laws

President Court System

Carries out laws Interpret the laws

Great Compromise creates a bicameral (2 houses) legislative branch

Signing the Constitution

39 delegates signed

before leaving

Philadelphia. Each

state planned to have

its own convention to

vote on the adoption.

Nine states were needed to ratify.

December 7, 1787

Federalists vs. Anti Federalists

... Let the Battle Begin...

Federalists: Supporters of the New ConstitutionGeorge Washington

Ben Franklin

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

Anti Federalists: Opposed ratification of the new Constitution

1. Would take away liberties

2. Create a strong central government

3. Ignore the will of the people

4. Favor the wealthy

**Wanted the gov. close to the people

Thomas PainePatrick Henry

Ratification

The four remaining states signed by May of 1790!

June 21, 1788New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government. There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov.

George Washington was elected the first President of the U.S.

John Adams was elected the first Vice President of the U.S.