Rival Plans THE VIRGINIA PLAN Based on the ideas of James Madison, The Virginia Plan called for a central government divided into three branches—legislative, executive, judicial—each branch with power to check the others. Called for strong national government with power to make laws, LEVY TAXES, CONTROL INTERSTATE COMMERCE, OVERRIDE STATE LAWS Called for BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE WITH MEMBERSHIP BASED ON STATE’S POPULATION; lower house members elected directly by the people; upper house members selected by state legislatures

Rival Plans THE NEW JERSEY PLAN Delegates from small states concerned that VIRGINIA PLAN GAVE TOO MUCH POWER TO LARGE STATES The New Jersey Plan called for a STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT made up of three branches, but was designed to stick closer to the Articles of Confederation. Called for UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE EACH STATE WOULD HAVE ONE VOTE, with equal representation regardless of its population. Despite support from small states, the plan was ultimately rejected at the Convention.

Conflict and Compromise For weeks after the rejection of the New Jersey Plan, the Convention was deadlocked. Tempers flared, and at times it seemed the Convention would fall apart. In the end, a series of compromises saved the Convention. June 30, 1787: Roger Sherman presented by Connecticut Compromise (THE GREAT COMPROMISE). Elements of both plans Bicameral legislature: LOWER HOUSE NUMBER BASED ON STATE’S POPULATION, UPPER HOUSE WITH TWO MEMBERS EACH LOWER HOUSE ELECTED DIRECTLY BY THE PEOPLE; UPPER HOUSE SELECTED BY STATE LEGISLATURE. The Great Compromise Key points: whether slaves should be counted as part of state’s population; whether importing slaves continued Counting slaves would greatly increase population and power of southern states Three-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted to determine a state’s population. COMPROMISE ON SLAVE TRADE ALLOWED IT TO CONTINUE PROTECTED FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS Compromise Over Slavery

Conflict and Compromise (cont’d.) Presidential Election Some wanted president elected directly by the people; others by the state legislatures or the national legislature COMPROMISE: STATE ELECTORS NUMBER OF STATE ELECTORS EQUAL TO NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS; CHOSEN BY POPULAR VOTE If no candidate received majority vote, House of Representatives would choose president Finalizing the Constitution Debated issues, settled disputes, made key decisions during summer of 1787 Benjamin Franklin said document was as close to perfect as possible, to overlook parts they did not like and “act heartily and unanimously” in signing Constitution Some delegates refused to sign because it did not include a bill of rights. 39 delegates from 12 states signed Constitution Convention adjourned September 17, 1787

Section 5 at a Glance Ratification and the Bill of Rights Ratification of the Constitution involved a heated debate between those who supported the Constitution and those who opposed it. Antifederalists opposed the Constitution because it lacked a bill of rights. The Federalist Papers outlined the key ideas of the Federalists, who supported the Constitution. The struggle for ratification took place in every state.

Antifederalists versus Federalists Constitutional Convention adjourned September 17, 1787 Drastic changes in plan for government surprised some, angered others New national government would Greatly reduce powers of state legislatures Completely restructure Congress Framers outlined process for ratifying Constitution Voters in each state to elect representatives to state ratifying convention To become law, Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of 13 states Two factions Federalists supported Constitution Antifederalists opposed Constitution

Over what issues did Antifederalists and Federalists disagree? Contrasting Over what issues did Antifederalists and Federalists disagree? Answer(s): strength of federal government; restructuring of Congress; power of executive branch; necessity of bill of rights