Creating and Ratifying the Constitution

The Virginia Plan Mostly designed by Madison Described a government with a president, courts, and a two house congress Representation in Congress would be based on the state’s population

The New Jersey Plan Called for a government similar to the Articles of Confederation One House of Congress with equal representation to all states

The Great Compromise Suggested by the Connecticut delegates Two houses of Congress One house- equal representation, the other- representation based on population

3/5ths Compromise Compromise on slavery for representation and taxation Southern states wanted slaves counted as part of the states population Northern states opposed the idea Compromised to count the slaves as 3/5ths of other persons

The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Northern states felt that Congress should regulate trade with other countries Southern states feared that Congress would use the power to tax exports and interfere with the slave trade Compromise: Congress would regulate trade, but could not interfere with the slave trade for 20 years nor tax exports

The Electoral College Compromise on the selection process of the President Some delegates thought Congress should choose the President/ others thought elected by the people Each state legislature would choose a number of electors (today: electors are elected) The electors select the President & the Vice President

The delegates sign the Constitution on September 17, 1787

Ratification of the Constitution Constitution would become law when ratified by 9 of the 13 states

Anti-Federalists Openly opposed the Constitution Felt too much power was given to the federal government Lacked a Bill of Rights: no provision for basic liberties

Federalists Supported the Constitution Many helped write the Constitution Argued that a nation would not survive with out a strong central government Argument supported by the failure of the Articles of Confederation

“The Federalists” papers written by Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, defended the Constitution Agreed with the Anti-Federalists that a Bill of Rights was needed -promised that if Constitution was ratified, Bill of Rights would be added

Ratification Promise by the Federalists encouraged New Hampshire, the 9th state, to ratify in June, 1788 Constitution becomes law In time, all states ratify, with Rhode Island being the last in 1790