The Constitutional Convention Chapter 4.2

Delegates Gather Federal Convention began in the Pennsylvania State House on May 25, 1787 Included people like: Alexander Hamilton of New York James Madison of Virginia Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania And other non typical Americans George Washington elected to preside over the convention They had to decide what a new government/constitution should contain

Alexander Hamilton Did not like the idea of democracy He believed a balanced government should have elements of aristocracy, monarchy, and republicanism He favored the British constitution

James Madison Considered the “Father of the Constitution” A critic of democracy, but he favored republicanism rather than a constitution modeled after the British system He wanted a large republic with diverse interests He hoped the nation’s learned men would rule the nation

Virginia Plan Proposed by James Madison A 3 branch government – executive, legislative, judicial A bicameral legislature with a House of Reps and Senate In both houses the states with bigger populations would have more representation Congress would be given the power to veto any state law Called for a strong president to serve a 7 year term Command armed forces, manage foreign relations, appoint all executive and judicial officers

New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey Gave Congress power to tax and regulate trade Unicameral legislature representing the states as equal regardless of population Executive committee rather than a single president States remained sovereign except for the few powers granted to the national government

Great Compromise Proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut Found a compromise between the 2 plans A bicameral legislature Senate would have equal representation House of Reps would be based upon population

Great Compromise continued Congress would not veto state laws States could not print their own money States could not provide debt relief at the creditor’s expense Delegates ended up supporting federalism – a system that divided power between the state and national governments

Slavery Division between north and south states South feared northern domination would threaten slavery South Carolina and Georgia threatened to walk out unless slavery was protected Slavery was essential to southern economy

Slave security in Constitution 1. Congress could not block the slave trade for 20 years 2. The Three-Fifths Compromise 3. all states had to return fugitive slaves

Three-Fifths Compromise Slaves would be counted as part of the population in regards to representation in Congress Every 5 slaves would equal 3 free people This gave southern states more seats in Congress

Convention End The delegates decided NOT to include a bill of rights - a guarantee of fundamental rights and privileges Convention ends Sept 17 Many disliked the compromises

Convention End 39 out of 42 delegates signed the new Constitution Those who refused to sign: George Mason of Virginia Edmund Randolph of Virginia Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts Next – need states to ratify (approve)

What were the major points of conflict that the framers of the constitution worked to resolve? How did the framers resolve those conflicts? Discuss one specific compromise reached during the convention. Do you agree or disagree with it? Why?

Works Cited Werner-Lepsansky, Emma J., et al. United States History. Pearson Education Inc: United States, 2016. Print.