The Convention in Philadelphia

Articles of Confederation  Very weak plan that gave more power to the states than to the national government

Articles of Confederation  Very weak plan that gave more power to the states than to the national government  Caused a conflict between various states over issues concerning taxes, currency, trade, and courts

Articles of Confederation  Very weak plan that gave more power to the states than to the national government  Caused a conflict between various states over issues concerning taxes, currency, trade, and courts  In general, this confederacy was doomed to fail, and split the U.S. apart

The Convention in Philadelphia  12 of the 13 colonies sent 55 reps to the convention (Rhode Island did not attend, did not want a strong national gov’t)

The Convention in Philadelphia  12 of the 13 colonies sent 55 reps to the convention (Rhode Island did not attend, did not want a strong national gov’t)  The average age was 42 years old, 36 were lawyers, 6 farmers

Thomas Jefferson called them “an assembly of demigods”

The Convention in Philadelphia  12 of the 13 colonies sent 55 reps to the convention (Rhode Island did not attend)  The average age was 42 years old, 36 were lawyers, 6 farmers  Jefferson called them “an assembly of demigods”  They were all well educated in ancient and modern forms of government

The Convention in Philadelphia  Gathered in the sweltering heat from May 25 th to Sept. 17 th, meeting 89 of the 116 days

The Convention in Philadelphia  Gathered in the sweltering heat from May 25 th to Sept. 17 th, meeting 89 of the 116 days  Agreed to keep the windows shut for the purpose of secrecy

The Plans  The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA “The Father of the Constitution”

The Plans  The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA  Called for three separate branches of government

The Plans  The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA  Called for three separate branches of government  Members of congress should be elected by the people, and their number should be based upon the population of that state

The Plans  The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA  Called for three separate branches of government  Members of congress should be elected by the people, and their number should be based upon the population of that state  This plan was supportive of a very strong national government

The Plans  The New Jersey Plan was fearful of the VA plan b/c it gave more power to the larger states

The Plans  The New Jersey Plan was fearful of the VA plan b/c it gave more power to the larger states  Wanted a plan that had members of congress elected by state legislatures, and based upon equal representation

The Plans  The New Jersey Plan was fearful of the VA plan b/c it gave more power to the larger states  Wanted a plan that had members of congress elected by state legislatures, and based upon equal representation  This debate raged feverously, causing Ben Franklin to ask for prayer before each meeting

“The Bundle of Compromises”  Because of the great differences in opinions, and the different points of view on how to create our new government, much of the constitution is a series of compromises

“The Bundle of Compromises”  Because of the great differences in opinions, and the different points of view on how to create our new government, much of the constitution is a series of compromises  However, there were certain issues to which all agreed (Representative gov’t, separation of powers)

“The Bundle of Compromises”  The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) was proposed by Roger Sherman in which he created two house of Congress (bicameral)

“The Bundle of Compromises”  The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) was proposed by Roger Sherman in which he created two house of Congress (bicameral)  House of Reps based on population and elected by the people

“The Bundle of Compromises”  The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) was proposed by Roger Sherman in which he created two house of Congress (bicameral)  House of Reps based on population and elected by the people  Senate with equal numbers and elected by state legislatures

“The Bundle of Compromises”  3/5 Compromise allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person for representation in the House

“The Bundle of Compromises”  3/5 Compromise allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person for representation in the House  Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise made it illegal for Congress to tax exports, and they could not ban slave trade for 20 years

The Signing of The Constitution