Focus Question What new system of government did the delegates agree upon at the Constitutional Convention in 1787? They adopted a system of divided power between the federal government and state governments Federal government has three branches

The Philadelphia Convention 1787 Purpose was to amend the Articles Immediately it was clear a new constitution need to be created They met in secret 89 of the 116 days

The Constitutional Convention James Madison proposed only a majority vote was needed to pass any resolution Was a key proposal because 13 – 0 votes would have killed it before it got off the ground

The Constitutional Convention Representatives Most wealthy lawyers, merchants, or planters Well-educated men in their 30s or 40s Included: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington

The Constitutional Convention Thomas Jefferson was ambassador to France Washington elected unanimously as presiding officer Alexander Hamilton

Rival Plans of Government Virginia Plan Written primarily by Virginian James Madison The plan traced the outlines of what would become the U.S. Constitution

Virginia Plan A national government consisting of three branches with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. 2 houses: one with members elected by the people and the other composed of leaders elected by the state legislatures for 7-year terms. Both would use population as a basis for dividing seats among the states. Federal Government could make and enforce laws Power was in the Union Small states disagreed – Small pop. = fewer Reps/less power

New Jersey Plan Small states vigorously opposed Virginia Plan 4 largest states would have a majority in both houses Presented by William Patterson

New Jersey Plan Small states propose that one house have equal representation for each state And a Supreme court to judge legality of laws passed by the legislative branch

Great Compromise also known as Connecticut Plan Debate raged between large and small states Roger Sherman offered a solution The Great Compromise

Connecticut Plan Combines New Jersey and Virginia plan 2 houses in legislature one based on population (House of Reps) One has equal representation for each state (Senate)

Three – Fifths Compromise Should slaves be counted as part of the population Southern States demanded that slaves count as part of the population If the slaves were not counted the southern states would be weak in representation

Three – Fifths Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise, an agreement to count three-fifths of a state's slaves in apportioning Representatives Required all states to return fugitive slaves to their owners.

Three – Fifths Compromise Initially resulted in more representation in congress for southern states Over the long term, the Three-Fifths Compromise did not work as the South anticipated Northern population grew faster. Since the northern states grew more rapidly than the South, by 1820, southern representation in the House had fallen to 42 percent.

Daily Quiz

Where was the Constitutional Convention held? Philadelphia

The purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to Amend the Articles of Confederation

Which proposal most resembled the Articles of Confederation? The New Jersey Plan

The Three-Fifths Compromise resulted in More representation in Congress for southern states.

What did the Three-Fifths Compromise require? All states to return fugitive slaves to their owners.