Aim: What compromises occurred during the drafting of the Constitution? Do Now: What were some of the biggest problems with the Articles of Confederation? What changes might you suggest to improve the Articles?

The Need for a New Government With the Revolutionary war won, the individual states soon came into conflict with one another over trade and land rights Without a strong national government, it seemed as if the country would soon tear itself apart In September, 1786, delegates from five states met at the Annapolis Convention in Maryland and decided on the need for a Constitutional Convention to fix or replace the Articles of Confederation. What states do you think would be most in favor of this new Convention? Least?

The Constitutional Convention, May 25 – September 17, 1787, Philadelphia, PA Over the summer of 1787, delegates from all states except Rhode Island would meet at the State House in Philadelphia to hammer out the plans for a new Constitution For the next few sweltering months, the delegates, including names such as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, would debate the issues surrounding the creation of a new government George Washington would be appointed the presiding member of the Convention

What sort of issues do you foresee arising during this Convention?

Constitutional Compromises How would both large and small states be fairly represented?

The Virginia Plan (“Big State” Plan) Drafted by James Madison Supported the creation of a Bi-Cameral (two house) Legislature, one with members elected by the citizens and one with members elected by the state representatives The amount of Representatives each state received would be based on POPULATION

The New Jersey Plan (“Small State” Plan) Drafted by William Paterson Supported the creation of a Uni-Cameral (one house) Legislature, with members elected by the state legislatures Each state would receive ONE vote, much like the current Articles of Confederation

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise Bi-Cameral Legislature House of Representatives- Number of members proportional to population Senate- Each state received 2 votes

Constitutional Compromises How would slaves factor into representation?

The Northern Argument Slaves are property, do not count towards representation Count for property tax, not voting Without slaves, Northern States have more votes in House of Representatives

The Southern Argument Slaves are “like” free citizens, deserve to count for representation Slaves should not count for taxation

The Three-Fifths Compromise Each slave would count as “three-fifths” of a person for representation (100 slaves would be the equivalent of 60 freemen) Each slave would count as “two-fifths” of a person for property taxes

Constitutional Compromises How would power be split between the national government and state governments?

The National Government Argument "one could hardly expect the state legislatures to take enlightened views on national affairs" – James Madison Failure of Articles shows the need for a strong national gov’t

The State Government Argument A strong national government would lead to a lose of rights for individual states and, eventually, the people

Federalism Power would be split between the Federal and State Gov’ts

Enumerated Powers (National Powers) Control of foreign affairs Control trade between states Can maintain an army Can levy taxes

Reserved Powers (State Powers) Control education Establish marriage laws Regulate trade within the states

Constitutional Compromises How would power be divided within the National government? Divide national power amongst three branches:

Executive Branch Led by a President who would be selected by the Electoral College Enforced the law, ran the army, etc

Legislative Branch Congress Would create the laws

Judicial Branch System of courts that would interoperate the laws

A system of Checks and Balances was created so no branch would become too powerful Additional, amendments to the Constitution would require a two-thirds majority vote in Congress and approval by ¾’s of the States. Do you disagree with any of these compromises? Why or why not?

The Signing of the Constitution On September 17, 1787, the members of the Convention, starting with Washington, would sign the now completed Constitution, and the task of ratifying it (putting it into action by having all states agree) would begin.

Benjamin Franklin’s Constitutional Convention Speech, 1787 1) Based on this speech, do you think Franklin agreed with everything in the Constitution? 2) Despite this, why does Franklin still agree to support it? Do you agree with his sentiment? 3) Why or why not?