Creating the Constitution Chapter 2 Section 4

Who were the Framers? 55 delegates attended the convention George Washington was leader of the convention Known as the Framers of the Constitution Worked in secret Most of what we know today about the convention comes from James Madison’s records “Father of the Constitution”

What plans of government were considered? 2 plans considered: Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan VA Plan: Strong central government 3 branches – legislative, executive, judicial Congress would be bicameral House would have members chosen from each state House would choose Senate members

What plans of government were considered? New Jersey Plan: Suggested by smaller states One Congress with states represented equally Congress could impose taxes and regulate trade “federal executive” – more than one person Two plans did not agree on representation – by population, state contributions or equal?

What compromises were made at the Convention? Four major compromises 1) representation – delegates from CT suggested a two-part legislature One part represented according to population One part represented equally (two from each state) Became known as the Connecticut or Great Compromise

What compromises were made at the Convention? 2) How would slaves be counted? – every five slaves would count the same as three free men Known as the Three-Fifths Compromise Compromise between the North and South 3) Who would control trade between states? Interstate trade – Congress would control trade between states States control within their state – intrastate trade

What compromises were made at the Convention? 4) Who would control trade between countries? Northern states wanted Congress to control all foreign trade Southern states sold large amounts of crops to foreign countries. Were afraid they would lose this trade if Congress taxed these goods Also disagreed about slaves South worried Congress would stop slave trade

What compromises were made at the Convention? Two sides compromised Congress got power to control foreign trade Congress could tax imports but not exports Delegates also said that Congress could not end the slave trade for 20 years

How did the Framers complete their work? Framers wanted a government “by the people” Wanted limited government and separation of powers with checks and balances Smaller issues that caused disagreement Constitutional Convention was finally over on Sept. 17, 1787 39 delegates signed the Constitution