Constitutional Convention and Bill of Rights 1787

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Leaders met to change and improve the Articles of Confederations Some wanted to make small changes to the Articles Some wanted to rewrite the Articles Issues at the Convention – Representation in the Legislative Branch (Congress) – Slavery – Tariffs (taxes on imported goods)

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Virginia Plan – Also known as the “Large state plan” – Supreme power to the central government – Divided the government into three branches – Would have a bicameral (2 house) legislature Representatives would be chosen by state populations – Smaller states did not like the plan because it would give too much power to the larger states

Constitutional Convention of 1787 New Jersey Plan – Also known as the “Small state plan” – Would have a unicameral (1 house) legislature One state one vote – Gave the central government the power to tax and regulate commerce – Larger states did not like the plan because it would give smaller states more influence

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Great Compromise – The legislative branch would be bicameral In the upper house (Senate) each state would have an equal vote In the lower house (House of Representatives) representation would be based on a state populations

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Representation and Slavery – Southerners wanted slaves to be included as part of their state populations – Northerners wanted the number of slaves to determine taxes but not representation in Congress Three-Fifths Compromise – 3/5 of the slaves in each state would be counted as part of a state population – Slaves were only 3/5 of a person

Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution Added to protect individual liberties – First Amendment-freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly, and petition – Second Amendment-right to bear arms (have a gun) – Third Amendment-no quartering (housing) of soldiers during times of peace

Bill of Rights Fourth Amendment-protects against unreasonable searches and seizures – Police must first get a search warrant Fifth Amendment-people cannot be punished for a crime without due process of law – There are steps to enforce the law – There must be enough evidence to indict (formally accuse) a person – People cannot be forced to testify against themselves “Plead the Fifth” – Protects people from double jeopardy (being tried for the same crime twice)

Bill of Rights Sixth Amendment-accused people have the right to a speedy trial by jury – A person has to know what they are being accused of – They have a right to an attorney – If they cannot pay for an attorney one will be provided to them

Bill of Rights Seventh Amendment-right to a jury in a civil case (non-criminal) – Usually disputes over money or property Eighth Amendment-no excessive bail and protects against cruel and unusual punishments

Bill of Rights Ninth Amendment-people have more rights than those listed in the Constitution Tenth Amendment-all powers not given to the federal government are given to the states and the people