Constitutional Convention Speeches 2015-16

Setting up speeches Write each speech on a separate sheet of paper. Put your delegate name and state as your heading. Put the Roman Numeral and Letter of the speech as your title. Write your delegates’ opinion on the second line. List 3 reasons why your delegate might think that way on the next 3 lines. Write your paragraph on the bottom half of the page. Setting up speeches

Delegate Opinion: ______________________________________ Delegate Name, State: Student Name: PETERSEN, Period _____ II. Legislative Branch   A. How many houses should be in the national legislature? Basis for representation? (Equal number of votes, or representation based on population?) Delegate Opinion: ______________________________________ Reasons: 1.) 2.) 3.) Speech:

The Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch of government is the body of elected representatives that makes laws.

II A(1). One or two houses?

one house (unicameral) one law-making body that meets as one group =

two houses (bicameral) one law-making body that meets as two groups Both houses have to approve any law = +

II A(2). What should be the basis of representation?

New Jersey Plan equal representation- each state has the same number of representatives Virginia Plan representation based on population- the number of representatives is based on a state’s population

How many houses in the legislature to make the laws? Speech II.A. How many houses in the legislature to make the laws? What would be the benefit of having 2 houses that must agree on all laws? What might be the problem? (What might go wrong?) What might be the benefit of only having 1 house to make laws? Basis for representation – population or equal Who benefits if it’s equal/who benefits if it’s based on population? What could happen to your state if the vote goes against what you want? Historical example to support your idea? What do large states want? What do small states fear?

emotionally charged language -tie in historical examples Punch it Up! emotionally charged language -tie in historical examples -try to project into the future – what can go wrong if you don’t get what you want or what can be fixed if you do? What could happen to your state if the vote goes against what you want? Historical example to support your idea?

Speech II.B. – Legislative Branch Should slaves be counted in the number used to figure how many votes each state should get in Congress? With the growth of America’s population, what will the representation in Congress look like in 20 years if you do/do not count the slaves? What will it do to your state’s/region’s power in Congress if you do/do not count the slaves? Should slaves be counted in the number used to figure how much tax money each state should send to the national government? What will it do to your personal/state’s/region’s/nation’s financial situation if you do/do not count the slaves?

IIC – legislative Branch Should Congress have the power to regulate commerce and the slave trade? Commerce = trade Slave trade = the importation of slaves for sale in the US Regulate = to have the power to make laws about something Import tax = a tax on goods brought into the country (purchased from another country and brought in) Export tax = a tax on goods your country sells to other countries Why might you want the new government to regulate trade? Why might you not want the government to have that power? Should the states or the national government have that power? Why might you want the government to have the power to tax imports or exports? Why not? If you give Congress the power to regulate the slave trade, what will the North want to do with that power?

III. A. Executive Branch – Options: Single Executive (1) Plural Executive (more than 1 or a committee) No Executive (keep power in states’ hands) How did many people/states feel about a strong national government with one person in charge? What are the advantages/disadvantages of having a single person in charge of the executive branch, representing the authority of the government to enforce laws? What are the advantages/disadvantages of having a group of people in charge of the executive branch, representing the authority of the government to enforce laws? If you know that people fear a single executive, what compromises might you offer to help assuage (calm) their fears?

Possible Powers to give the chief executive: Power to declare war III.C. Executive Branch You may discuss why the executive NEEDS a particular power, or why it might be DANGEROUS to give one person a particular power, based on your delegate’s POV. Read your delegate role sheet carefully. Generally, if it doesn’t list a particular power, you DO NOT want him to have that power. DON’T try to include everything; just refer to what you want and maybe 1 or 2 other items that you don’t want. Possible Powers to give the chief executive: Power to declare war Power to be commander-in-chief – to direct military policy once war is declared Power to appoint people to office – advisors, court justices, department heads Veto power: power to refuse to enact a law Absolute veto – once the executive vetoes a law, the issue is dead Veto with Congressional power to override – once the executive vetoes a law, Congress may reconsider it, and with enough votes, pass the law anyway – overriding the veto Power to make treaties with foreign nations

III B/E III B – how exec will be chosen Direct election by people - 240 National Legislature/Congress, Senate- 240 Electors – p. 243 III E – can exec serve more than one term yes No

IV. A. Judicial Branch Tribunal = court Inferior = lower Options: 1 Supreme Court (only 1 court to hear all cases about national laws) 1 Supreme Court and some lower federal courts (more than 1 court) No National courts at all (keep power in state courts) How did many people/states feel about a strong national government? What do courts do? Why might you need a national court system? Why might you think you DON’T need a national court? What might be a reason you want more than 1 national court? What might happen if you only have 1 court to hear all cases involving national laws? Tribunal = court Inferior = lower