Constitutional Convention May 25 – September 17, 1787
Convention I. Constitutional Convention A. Philadelphia B. Revise the Articles of Confederation 1. writes a new plan of gov’t
Constitutional Convention C. 12 of 13 states send delegates 1. Rhode Island doesn’t attend D. Secret proceedings 1. ensure freedom of speech for delegates 2. limited officials records 3. No press or public allowed 10/19/14
Framers A.55 Delegates 1.All had previous experience in government 1.A. colonial, state or local 2. 1/3 served in Continental Army 3. 8 had signed the Declaration of Independence B. Founding Fathers 1. George Washington 2. Ben Franklin 3. John Adams 10/19/14
Convention II. Virginia Plan A. James Madison B. 3 branches 1. executive 2. legislative 3. judicial
Virginia Plan C. Bicameral legislature 1. 2 houses 2. representation based on a. state population b. amount of money state contributed to central gov’t
Virginia Plan 3. House of Representatives a. lower house b. directly elected by the people 4. Senate a. upper house b. selected by state legislatures
Virginia plan 5. Powers a. similar to Articles of Confederation b. veto state laws that conflict w/national laws c. use force (if necessary) to make states obey national laws d. choose “National Executive” & “National Judiciary” e. admit new states
Virginia Plan D. Council of Revision 1. National Executive & National Judiciary a. veto Congress’s laws 1. veto-override w/both houses 2. National Executive a. execute national laws 3. National Judiciary a. court system
Virginia Plan E. State Obligations 1. take an oath to support union 2. republican gov’t F. Reaction 1. set convention’s agenda 2. small states disapproved
New Jersey Plan III. New Jersey Plan A. William Patterson B. 3 branches 1. executive 2. legislative 3. judicial
New Jersey Plan C. Unicameral Congress 1. same as Articles of Confederation 2. states equally represented a. one representative each
New Jersey Plan 3. Powers a. same as Articles of Confederation b. limited power to tax c. regulate interstate trade
New Jersey Plan 4. Federal Executive a. more than one person b. chosen by Congress c. could be removed at request of the majority of state’s governors
New Jersey Plan 5. Federal Judiciary a. one supreme court b. appointed by the executive
Fundamental Debate IV. Amount of state representation in Congress A. Large states – more representation 1. more power in national gov’t B. Small states – equal representation 1. feared they wouldn’t have a say in national gov’t
Connecticut Compromise V. Great Compromise A. Bicameral Congress 1. Senate a. upper house b. equal representation among states 2. House of Representatives a. lower house b. representation based on state’s population
Connecticut Compromise V. Great Compromise B. President 1. executive branch a. electoral college 2. enforce laws C. Supreme Court 1. judicial branch 2. appointed by President
Three-Fifths Compromise VI. Three-Fifths Compromise A. Role of slaves within population count for representation 1. slave states wanted them counted a. more representatives in Congress 2. northern states did not a. lose representatives in Congress B. Each slave counted as 3/5 of a person 1. used for population count 2. tax purposes
Commerce and Slave trade compromise VII. Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise A. Forbids Congress from taxing exports 1. southern colonies fearful of export taxes on tobacco 2. afraid Congress would be controlled by northern commercial interests B. Forbids Congress from acting on the slave trade for at least 20 years