Constitutional Convention (1787) How was the United States Government formed?

Decision #1 Question: What to do about the Articles government? Answer: Planned to revise (or fix) the Articles of Confederation DECISION 1: They decided to make a new government. This would lead to problems later because people would accuse them of doing something extra- legal (beyond the law)! 55 delegates met at the Convention. 8 had signed the Declaration and GW was elected as president of the convention. Most were young like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton who believed the nation was sick and “needed a powerful remedy.”

2 nd Decision: 1 st Option Question: How could the problems be fixed? Answer: Delegates disagreed on how much power to give the new government. Edmund Randolph and James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan – Called for a strong national government with three branches (legislative, judicial, and executive). The legislature would have two houses (bicameral) with representation based on a state’s population. James Madison was nicknamed the “Father of the Constitution” because of his ideas about how to structure a government (VA Plan).

The Virginia Plan

Same Question: Option 2 (Next Box) Delegates from the small states did not like the VA Plan – They would lose all power! Proposed the New Jersey Plan – had three branches but had only one house that (like the Articles) would have only one vote for each state (equal representation). It was really a slightly more powerful version of the Articles. Patterson’s plan was an attempt to keep power for the small states but it had little chance of passing because it was too much like the Articles.

New Jersey Plan

Decision #2 (the solution to the big argument) Question: What did they decide to do? Answer: The Great (or Connecticut) Compromise Keep the Virginia Plan but have two houses with one (the House of Representatives) based on population and the other (the Senate) based on equal representation (two per state). This way both sides were happy (or at least satisfied) Most of Madison’s VA Plan was accepted – making it the basis of the new government.

The Great (or Connecticut Compromise)

What was the biggest argument at the Constitutional Convention? A.Slavery B.Representation in Congress C.The Executive Branch D.Whether or not to replace the Articles of Confederation

What plan was the basis of the Constitution? A.The 3/5’s Compromise B.The Virginia Plan C.The New Jersey Plan D.The Great Compromise

What solved the biggest argument of the Constitutional Convention? A.The 3/5’s Compromise B.The Virginia Plan C.The New Jersey Plan D.The Great Compromise

Decision #3 Question: What to do about slavery? Answer: Many northerners wanted to end slavery – they thought counting slaves for representation was unfair because they could not vote. Southerners refused to give in – they threatened to walk out. 3/5ths Compromise: slaves would be counted for population and taxes in the South but they would only count for 3/5’s of a white southerner. (5,000 slaves would count as 3,000). Neither side was really happy with this.

3/5ths Compromise

Decision #4 Question: How should trade be controlled? Answer: The slave trade could only be made illegal after 20 years. Result: The slave trade remained untouched leading to the expansion of slavery into new states = bigger and bigger problem! National government would control trade between states (interstate commerce) and the states would control trade within their borders.

Trade Compromises

What decisions were made about slavery at the Constitutional Convention? a.The 3/5’s Compromise b.The Virginia Plan c.The slave trade was outlawed d.The Great Compromise

What decision was made about trade? a.The government could control interstate commerce. b.Slavery would be allowed in all states for 20 years. c.Each state could control trade d.The president could control trade with the Electoral College.

Decision #5 Question: What to do about an executive? Answer: Had many options: King, prime minister, and ? Chose the idea of a “President” Had to decide how to choose the president: Combined different ideas to form the Electoral College (indirect election). Also decided the president would have a 4 year term with no limit to the amount of terms.

Executive Compromises

What decision was made about the Executive Branch? a.They would not have one. b.They would have a president chosen by the people c.They would have a president chosen by the Electoral College. d.The president would be chosen by Congress.

Why was a convention called? a.To make a new government b.To solve the arguments of representation and slavery c.To revise or fix the Articles of Confederation d.To solve the arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

What was the Virginia Plan? a.A plan to give small states equal representation b.A plan with a strong executive chosen by the Electoral College c.A plan with three branches that gave one vote to each state d.A plan with representation based on population.

What was the New Jersey Plan? a.A plan with three branches that gave each state one vote. b.A plan that gave power to big states. c.A plan with three branches based on population. d.A plan for a new government that was very different from the Articles of Confederation.

What solved the argument between the big and small states? a.The 3/5’s Compromise b.The Virginia Plan was accepted c.The plan to have a president. d.The Great Compromise.

What was the Great Compromise? a.A plan that gave power to all states because it gave each state equal power. b.A plan that created two houses, one based on population and the other was equal. c.An agreement to count 3/5’s of the slaves for population. d.The agreement to end the slave trade after 20 years.

What was the biggest argument at the Constitutional Convention? a.Slavery b.Representation in Congress c.The Executive Branch d.The decision to start a new government.

What decision was made about trade? a.The government could control interstate commerce. b.Slavery would be allowed in all states for 20 years. c.Each state could control trade d.The president could control trade with the Electoral College.

What decisions were made about slavery at the Constitutional Convention? a.The 3/5’s Compromise b.The Virginia Plan c.The slave trade was outlawed d.The Great Compromise