Constitutional Convention Creating a new system of government

Philadelphia, Pa 1787 Aims of the convention Aims of the convention Revise the Articles Revise the Articles Lack of authority Lack of authority Meetings kept secret Meetings kept secret

The Delegates 55 delegates from 12 states 55 delegates from 12 states Only Rhode Island not represented Only Rhode Island not represented Washington selected as president of convention Washington selected as president of convention James Madison took minutes James Madison took minutes

James Madison

Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph of Virginia and Authored by James Madison Proposed by Edmund Randolph of Virginia and Authored by James Madison Three branches of Government A. Legislative Branch or Congress would make the laws B. Executive Branch would carry out the laws C. Judicial Branch – system of courts to interpret the laws

Executive Branch Randolph proposed a group of three be appointed by Congress Randolph proposed a group of three be appointed by Congress A single executive was agreed upon to be able to act more quickly A single executive was agreed upon to be able to act more quickly

Perhaps the greatest debate undertaken by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 centered on how many representatives each state should have in the new government's lawmaking branch, the U.S. Congress. As is often the case in government and politics, resolving a great debate, required a Great Compromise Perhaps the greatest debate undertaken by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 centered on how many representatives each state should have in the new government's lawmaking branch, the U.S. Congress. As is often the case in government and politics, resolving a great debate, required a Great Compromise

Legislative branch Change from a single legislative body to a 2 house legislature- lower and upper house Change from a single legislative body to a 2 house legislature- lower and upper house How to select- How to select- Peoples Vote or appointed by state legislatures Peoples Vote or appointed by state legislatures

How Should Representation in The Houses of Congress be determined? How Should Representation in The Houses of Congress be determined? Representation based on population greater the population the more representatives a state would have Representation based on population greater the population the more representatives a state would have Favored by large states Favored by large states

GREAT COMPROMISE New Jersey Plan New Jersey Plan William Patterson propose a single House with one vote per state William Patterson propose a single House with one vote per state Powers to include raise money and regulate trade Powers to include raise money and regulate trade

Terms of Compromise Roger Sherman of Connecticut Roger Sherman of Connecticut 2 house congress 2 house congress House of representatives based on population –Chosen by people (2 yr Term) House of representatives based on population –Chosen by people (2 yr Term) Senate equal representation 2 seats for each Chosen by state legislatures(6 yr Term) Senate equal representation 2 seats for each Chosen by state legislatures(6 yr Term)

Slavery Issue Representation – who should be counted Southerners wanted slaves counted Northerners did not since they couldn’t vote

3/5ths compromise Each slave would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation purposes Each slave would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation purposes Southern states would then receive more representatives Southern states would then receive more representatives

Slave trade Northerners wanted to ban slave trade Northerners wanted to ban slave trade Southerners claimed it would destroy its economy Southerners claimed it would destroy its economy

Compromise Again Slave trade would be allowed for a period of 20 years (1808) and Congress could then bar slave trade from outside the United States Slave trade would be allowed for a period of 20 years (1808) and Congress could then bar slave trade from outside the United States Trade within would not be affected Trade within would not be affected

New Constitution Final wording of preamble by Gouverneur Morris Final wording of preamble by Gouverneur Morris Authority from the people not the states Authority from the people not the states The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It states in general terms, and courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of, the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped the Constitution would achieve. The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the Constitution's fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It states in general terms, and courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of, the Founding Fathers' intentions regarding the Constitution's meaning and what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.introductory statementConstitution'sFounding Fathers'introductory statementConstitution'sFounding Fathers'

Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Delegates sign on September 17 th 1787 Delegates sign on September 17 th 1787 Ten Months of Debate would ensue before the Constitution would be adopted by the states Ten Months of Debate would ensue before the Constitution would be adopted by the states