The Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia

Objectives: By the end of this unit, students will be able to: Describe the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention. Describe the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention. Explain why delegates met in Philadelphia in Explain why delegates met in Philadelphia in Summarize how the Great Compromise satisfied both large and small states. Summarize how the Great Compromise satisfied both large and small states. Analyze how various compromises helped shape our current constitution. Analyze how various compromises helped shape our current constitution. Compare and contrast the new US constitution with the Articles of Confederation. Compare and contrast the new US constitution with the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitutional Convention begins Philadelphia Philadelphia Delegates from all the states invited to a convention to improve the Articles of Confederation, which were not working Delegates from all the states invited to a convention to improve the Articles of Confederation, which were not working Only Rhode Island didn’t attend. Why not? Only Rhode Island didn’t attend. Why not? 55 Delegates attended 55 Delegates attended Delegate? Delegate?

Leaders of the Convention George Washington was asked to preside (lead) over the convention. James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The Father of the Constitution.” The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “Founding Fathers.” All the participants in the Convention were wealthy, white, males.

The Founding Fathers

Issues that divided the Nation’s leaders 1. The power of the federal government. Would the states or the federal government have the most power? 2. Representation in Congress (How many members in Congress would each state get?) – small states wanted equal representation, large states wanted it to be determined by population of the states 3. Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue?

Called for a new national government. Threw out the Articles of Confederation Three separate branches of government. – a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch Representation in the legislative branch based on population of state Large states like the plan, small states don’t. The Virginia Plan

New Jersey Plan Legislature - has one house. Each state gets one vote. Small states like the plan, the large states hate it. There would have to be a compromise. Compromise- An agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wants to achieve a resolution to their problem

The Great Compromise Legislature would have two houses (Bicameral): House of Representatives and a Senate House of Representatives - based on the population of state Senate - two senators per each state Bicameral- Having two legislative houses

Slavery The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued. It was a terrible compromise to make, but the Northern states had no choice if they wanted a Constitution. The issue at hand (3/5ths Compromise) dealt with Representation in the House of Representatives 3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of Representatives. In other words, for every 5 slaves, 3 would be counted towards representation It did NOT mean that 3 out of every 5 slaves could vote Congress can not ban the slave trade until 1808.

Constitutional Convention Summarized Delegates from 12 of the 13 states met to fix what was wrong with the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from 12 of the 13 states met to fix what was wrong with the Articles of Confederation. The delegates were there to repair the problems caused by the Articles of Confederation that had led to Shay’s Rebellion The delegates were there to repair the problems caused by the Articles of Confederation that had led to Shay’s Rebellion In the end, the delegates scrapped the entire Article Of Confederation in favor of an entirely new constitution. In the end, the delegates scrapped the entire Article Of Confederation in favor of an entirely new constitution. The Great Compromise established a Bicameral Congress consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate The Great Compromise established a Bicameral Congress consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate The 3/5ths Compromise dealt with the issue of Representation in Congress in the House of Representatives. The 3/5ths Compromise dealt with the issue of Representation in Congress in the House of Representatives. In the 3/5ths Compromise 3 out of every 5 enslaved people would count towards representation. In the 3/5ths Compromise 3 out of every 5 enslaved people would count towards representation. The New Constitution is born, but in order for it to become the law of the land, it must be RATIFIED!!!!! The New Constitution is born, but in order for it to become the law of the land, it must be RATIFIED!!!!! Next time: Ratification of the New Constitution! Next time: Ratification of the New Constitution!

Student Practice/Application 1. Pair up with a classmate 1. Pair up with a classmate 2. Read pages in your American History textbook. 2. Read pages in your American History textbook. 3. Select which two Checkpoint questions you are going to do. 3. Select which two Checkpoint questions you are going to do. Complete all four Checkpoint questions located on pages Complete all four Checkpoint questions located on pages Share your responses with your partner. 3. Share your responses with your partner. 4. Complete Exit Ticket Question. 4. Complete Exit Ticket Question.

To Summarize: The Consitutional Convention Summarized The Consitutional Convention Summarized