Chapter 2, Section 4 The Constitutional Convention American Government

Interesting Facts James Madison-“Father of the Constitution All meetings were closed Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay would write The Federalist Capital-New York George Washington-1st President 10 Amendments (Bill of Rights) Rhode Island was last state to ratify Constitution Interesting Facts

Key Agreements Limited and Representative Government Power divided between 3 branches Limit power of state to coin money Strengthen National Government Key Agreements

Virginia Plan Drafted by James Madison National Legislature with two chambers National Executive chosen by legislature National Judiciary chosen by legislature Was basis for Constitution but gave most power to larger states Virginia Plan

New Jersey Plan Unicameral legislature with one vote Congress could tax and regulate trade Weak executive/more than 1 Limited national judiciary New Jersey Plan

Connecticut Compromise Legislature have two parts: House of Representatives- based on population Senate-Two per state (elected by state legislators) Connecticut Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise 1/3 of southern states were African American South wanted to count slaves as population but not for taxes, North wanted opposite 3/5 of the enslaved people would be counted for both taxes and population Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise on Commerce and Slave Trade North wanted government to regulate trade with other nations, South afraid they would interfere with slave trade Could not ban slave trade till 1808 Congress regulated interstate and foreign commerce Could not impose export taxes Compromise on Commerce and Slave Trade

Slavery and Other Compromises Slave does not appear in Constitution and South would not accept if it dealt with slaves Electoral College System: each state elects electors to vote President’s 4 year Slavery and Other Compromises

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Federalist View Anti-Federalist View Favored the Constitution Merchants and Cities Strong national government Bill of Rights not needed, 8 states already had one Opposed the Constitution Farmers and Laborers Constitution drafted in secrecy Extralegal (not sanctioned by law) States Rights Wanted a Bill of Rights Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist

Federalist Anti-Federalist People in the Debate