The Constitutional Convention

Purpose of the Constitutional Convention Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation The goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation . It was quickly decided to replace it.

# of Congressmen determined by state population Virginia Plan Proposed by big states Lawmaking body: Bicameral (2 Houses) Based on Population Elected by the 1st house Elected by the people # of Congressmen determined by state population

The Virginia Plan Calls for a strong national government that will be split up into three branches. Legislative Branch Passes the laws Executive Branch Carries out the laws Judicial Branch Decides of the laws were carried out fairly

The Legislature The Legislature would consist of two houses. The seats in each house would be awarded based upon the population of the state. The larger the state, the more seats they would receive in the legislature. Larger states would have more power to create and pass laws than smaller states would.

The New Jersey Plan This plan would provide more support for small states. Government would still be set up into three branches. Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Supported by smaller states New Jersey Plan Supported by smaller states Lawmaking body: Unicameral (1 House) Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes Based on Equality

The Legislature There will only be one house in the legislature. Each state, regardless of population would receive one vote in the legislature. This would protect the smaller states and allow them to have just as much of a say as the large states.

The Great Compromise The convention was on the brink of falling apart. Roger Sherman of Connecticut Created a proposal that he believed would satisfy both the large and small states. The Legislature would be split into two houses, Upper House (Senate) Lower House (House of Representatives)

The Great Compromise This was a combination of both plans… Lawmaking body: Bicameral Congress (2 Houses) Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 representatives # of reps. would depend on populations

The Lower House The Lower House was known as the House of Representatives. Representatives would be elected by popular vote. Seats in this house would be awarded to each state according to its population.

The Upper House The Upper house was known as the Senate. The representatives in the Senate would be chosen by the state legislatures. Each state, no matter what its size, would receive two state senators.

Northern vs. Southern Conflict

The Three-Fifths Compromise There were also conflicts between northern and southern states How should slaves be counted into the population? South: should be taken into account North: since they cannot vote, they should not be. They compromised 3/5 of the slave population would be included in the population count.

3/5 Compromise If a state had 5,000 slaves, only 3,000 of them would be counted into the population. A slave was basically declared as 3/5 of a person. This allowed for southern states to account for slaves, but not gain too much power in the lower house.

Slavery Slavery became an issue with population. In the south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population The south wanted them to count in their population so they would have more votes. Slaves however could not vote.

The Slave Trade Northern states wanted to ban the trading of slaves throughout the country. Southern states believe it would ruin their economy. Compromise Congress could not outlaw the slave trade for 20 years No state could stop a fugitive slave from being returned to an owner who claimed that slave.

Amendments Before any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country. Bill of Rights 1st Amendment 2nd Amendment 3rd Amendment

Signing the Constitution 39 delegates signed before leaving Philadelphia. Each state planned to have its own convention to vote on the adoption. Nine states were needed to ratify. December 7, 1787

Ratification Go USA!! June 21, 1788 New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government. There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov. The four remaining states signed by May of 1790! Go USA!!