The Constitutional Convention: Chapter 5.1

Essential Questions:  What was the Constitutional Convention?  What was determined to be essential for our gov’t?  What conflicts arose around the creation of the Constitution?

Vocabulary:  Bicameral

In your notes:  List anything that you know about our Constitution.  Share with a partner.

The Constitutional Convention  Had Articles of Confederation, but realized federal gov’t. not strong enough.  Congress approved a convention to revise the Articles

Getting Organized  Convention held in Philadelphia where Declaration of Independence had been signed  May 25, begins  George Washington chosen as the presiding officer

Madison’s Plan  First, delegates voted not to revise the Articles of Confederation  Needed new plan, but most did not have specific ideas

Madison’s Plan  James Madison- VA delegate  Had a definite plan Strong national government Legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Madison’s Plan Legislative branch would have two parts (to make laws) ○ House of Representatives- member would be chosen directly by the people ○ Senate – members would be chosen by the House

Madison’s Plan ○ # of seats in the House and the Senate would be based on each state’s population

With a partner,  What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?  Draw a picture to explain Madison’s plan.

Compromises About Congress  How many representatives would each state have in Congress?  Madison’s Plan = # determined by population

Compromises About Congress  Large states would dominate Congress  Small states proposed a plan from William Paterson (NJ) 1 house legislature; each state have the same #

Great Compromise  Plan called for a Bicameral – two house legislature  House of Representatives would based on state population  Senate – each state would have 2 senators

Compromises About Congress  The Three-Fifths Compromise Had to decide how to count the population in a state Should slaves be counted?

Compromises About Congress  South – Yes  North - No  Agreed to count each slave as 3/5 of a person

In your notes,  Explain the 2 conflicts that arose around the Constitution?

The Executive and Judicial Branches  Executive Branch One President instead of a committee of leaders Defined powers and duties of the President

The Executive and Judicial Branches  Judicial Branch Created the Supreme Court Would have authority to interpret laws Would settle conflicts between states

The Executive and Judicial Branches  President would be chosen by a group of electors known as the Electoral College  Each state legislature would determine # of electors for Electoral College

The Signing  September 17, 1787 – Signed Constitution  delegates often called the “Framers” – formed the government

With a partner,  What was determined to be the essential parts of the new government?  What was the purpose of each part?