The Constitutional Convention

A) A profile of the Delegates 1) 55 white males, well educated, wealthy Harvard Princeton Yale

A) A profile of the Delegates 1) 55 white males, well educated, wealthy 2) 2/3 owned slaves

A) A profile of the Delegates 1) 55 white males, well educated, wealthy 2) 2/3 owned slaves 3) 6 were farmers

A) A profile of the Delegates 1) 55 white males, well educated, wealthy 2) 2/3 owned slaves 3) 6 were farmers 4) 36 lawyers Interactive Picture of Delegates

B) Through the records of James Madison, we have nearly every word of the convention

C) Madison would address the convention over 200 times (“Father of the Constitution”)

D) Began on May 25 th, 1787 (timeline) in Philadelphia

D) Began on May 25 th, 1787 in Philadelphia 1) by noon the temperature would be over 100

D) Began on May 25 th, 1787 (timeline) in Philadelphia 1) by noon the temperature would be over 100 2) windows were left shut because of secrecy and insects

D) Began on May 25 th, 1787 (timeline) in Philadelphia 1) by noon the temperature would be over 100 2) windows were left shut because of secrecy and insects 3) Not one word ever leaked about the meeting

E) Each state had one vote (regardless of size)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans

A) Virginia was immediately ready with Madison’s plan

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans A) Virginia was immediately ready with Madison’s plan 1. Scrap the very weak Articles of Confederation

Madison’s Words about the Articles 1. "It does not provide against foreign attacks." 2. "It does not secure Harmony to the States." 3. "It is incapable of producing certain blessings to the States." 4. "It cannot defend itself against encroachments." 5. "It is not superior to State constitutions."

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans A) Virginia was immediately ready with Madison’s plan 1. Scrap the very weak Articles of Confederation 2. Members of Congress elected by voters, with the number based on population

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans 3. One central authority consisting of 3 branches

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans 3. One central authority consisting of 3 branches a. legislative – makes the laws (Congress)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans 3. One central authority consisting of 3 branches a. legislative – makes the laws (Congress) b. executive – carry out the laws (President)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans 3. One central authority consisting of 3 branches a. legislative – makes the laws (Congress) b. executive – carry out the laws (President) c. judicial – interpret the laws (Supreme Court)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans B) This idea comes from Biblical principles

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans B) This idea comes from Biblical principles 1) No one is righteous (Romans 3:10)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans B) This idea comes from Biblical principles 1) No one is righteous (Romans 3:10) 2) Must have a system of checks and balances

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state) 1) wanted one house which had equal number representatives who were selected by the state legislature

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state) 1) wanted one house which had equal number representatives who were selected by the state legislature D) Arguments 1) Madison said the NJ plan would leave too much power in the hands of the state (A of C)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state) 1) wanted one house which had one representative who was selected by the state legislature D) Arguments 1) Madison said the NJ plan would leave too much power in the hands of the state (A of C) 2) NJ feared being over-powered by larger states

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans E) The Great Compromise

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans E) The Great Compromise 1) Plans would both fail without compromise

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans E) The Great Compromise 1) Plans would both fail without compromise 2) Roger Sherman created 2 houses of Congress

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans E) The Great Compromise 1) Plans would both fail without compromise 2) Roger Sherman created 2 houses of Congress a. House of Representatives based upon population (larger states have more representatives)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans E) The Great Compromise 1) Plans would both fail without compromise 2) Roger Sherman created 2 houses of Congress a. House of Representatives based upon population (larger states have more representatives) b. Senate is based upon equal representation (2 from each state)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans F) The 3/5 Compromise

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans F) The 3/5 Compromise 1) Who counts in population? (House of Reps)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans F) The 3/5 Compromise 1) Who counts in population? (House of Reps) 2) South wanted slaves to count (more reps)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans F) The 3/5 Compromise 1) Who counts in population? (House of Reps) 2) South wanted slaves to count (more reps) 3) North agreed to count a slave as 3/5 of a person

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans G) Trade Compromise

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans G) Trade Compromise 1) Congress could not tax exports (helps south)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans G) Trade Compromise 1) Congress could not tax exports (helps south) 2) Could not ban the slave trade for 20 years (helps south)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans H) Electing the President

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans H) Electing the President 1) Could we trust the people to elect a president?

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans H) Electing the President 1) Could we trust the people to elect a president? 2) Would a president have enough power if chosen by Congress?

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans H) Electing the President 1) Could we trust the people to elect a president? 2) Would a president have enough power if chosen by Congress? 3) Compromise on the Electoral College

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans I) It was now up to the people to ratify (agree) to the Constitution Washington’s Chair