Welcome to the Constitutional Convention

Who am I? What do I believe about the role of Government? Read your role card. Create a name plate that identifies what state you are from. Inside the card, write a summary of your beliefs – are you a large or small state? A slave or free state?

This is your opportunity to meet your fellow delegates. Introduce yourself and share why you have come – do you want to revise the Articles? Change them completely ? Leave them as they are? Write down what you learn about each other when you return to your seats. Use the formal language at the time “I am heartily glad to see you, Mr. Madison” or “It is my pleasure to be in your company, Doctor Franklin.” How was your journey to Philadelphia, Mr. Randolph? I hope that your family is in good health Mr. Williams” Remember everyone shares the same big ideals – government by the people with limits on leadership. You believe that people are born with rights including the idea that all men are created equal… who that includes depends on where you live. However some of you do not want a single leader. Some of you think you need a king or powerful figurehead. Some of you want to end slavery. Some of you depend on slavery.

Call to Order Four agreements 1.George Washington would serve as president of the convention. 2.Each state, large or small would have 1 vote. 3.They would not revise the Articles of Confederation. They had too many weaknesses. They would write an entirely new constitution. 4. They would keep their discussions private. They agreed that what ever was said at the meeting would be kept private for 30 years.

A Vow of Secrecy Nothing spoken or written can be revealed to anyone — not even your family — until we have adjourned permanently. Gossip or misunderstanding can easily ruin all the hard work we shall have to do this summer." -George Washington, presiding officer Raise your right hand and pledge a vow of secrecy: “I __________promise not to divulge to the public what is discussed at this convention for 30 years. I will only share what is agreed upon with the citizens of my state when all issues are addressed and resolved.”

How should states be represented in the new government? Option A: The number of representatives a state sends to Congress will depend on the state’s population. Option B: Each state will have equal representation in Congress, regardless of the state’s size. Option C: The number of representatives a state sends to Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the citizens of the state.

Use the data in this chart to complete your worksheet

Madison presents Virginia’s plan

A Strong Central Government which would have Three branches - executive, legislative and judicial branch Patterson presents their plan

What do you think? Comments” James Wilson of Pennsylvania Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania Gunning Bedford of Delaware Rufus King of Massachusetts Open discussion and debate - remember to address others – repeat what you have heard Thank you for sharing… I heard you say….. I respectfully agree with Mr.____________ I respectfully disagree with Mr. ___________ I strongly disagree With Mr. ________________

M eet and greet – discuss both plans with the other delegates from you own state and region. Write down what you think. Meet with delegates from the other regions. Write down their ideas.

Vote: Will you support the compromise?

Many of the delegates, including some from the South, believed that keeping people as slaves was wrong. Most Southern delegates however, wanted to protect the slaveholders. The large plantation owners depended upon slave labor for their living. The Framers had 3 main questions to resolve. 1.Should they allow the slave trade to continue? 2.Should they count slaves as part of a state’s population. If they did it would increase the number of representatives from Southern states in Congress. This would give the Southern states more power. 3.What should happen to slaves who ran away to states that did not allow slavery?

Which states would benefit if slaves were counted towards the number of representatives allocated to Congress? Total PopulationSlave Population Connecticut237,655 2,764 Delaware 59,096 8,887 Georgia 82,548 29,264 Maryland319,728103,036 Massachusetts378,5560 New Hampshire141, New Jersey184,139 11,139 New York340,241 21,324 North Carolina395, ,572 Pennsylvania433,611 3,737 Rhode Island 69, South Carolina249, ,094 Virginia747, ,627

What do you think? Comments from Mr. Morris of Pennsylvania Mr. Gerry of Massachusetts Mr. Mason of Virginia Mr. Pinckney of South Carolina Comments/observations/suggestions from others Is there any way to compromise? – ideas?

Debate/Discuss - remember to address others – repeat what you have heard Thank you for sharing… I heard you say….. I respectfully agree with Mr.____________ I respectfully disagree with Mr. ___________ I strongly disagree With Mr. _______________

Day 4: A resolution and Compromise Meet and greet – discuss this with the other delegates from you own state and region. Meet with delegates from the other regions. Write down their ideas Option A: Count slaves as property to be taxed like other property Option B: Count slaves as people to determine representation in Congress. Option C: Count slaves as both people for representation in Congress and property for taxation. Option D: Do not count slaves

In addition, it was agreed: The national government would not be allowed to end the slave trade until Slaves who escaped to other states had to be returned

Who should head the Executive Branch? Who should lead The United States? Comments from: Mr. Pinckney of South Carolina James Wilson of Pennsylvania Edmund Randolph of Virginia Ben Franklin of Pennsylvania Open for discussion Resolved: A single person will be elected president for no more than 4 years at a time.

How should the National Executive Be Elected? What do you think? Share your ideas - Option A: Have the people directly elect the executive. Option B: Have Congress elect the executive. Option C: Have the state legislatures or governors elect the executive. Option D: Have the people or state legislatures choose electors who will elect the executive. Option E: Other ideas?

Comments: Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania James Madison of Virginia Roger Sherman of Connecticut Vote! On the options Results? Did we reach a majority of 9/10 Can we go home??? No  We still have to come to an agreement! Of all the options, which contain ideas that “I” could accep? t

A final Compromise – The Electoral College After more than 60 votes, Congress decided they would choose the president and vice president through a special body called the Electoral College Each state has the same number of electors as senators and representatives Each state decides for themselves how the electors will be chosen The electors then cast their votes for the president and vice president

Final Remarks

Write a letter to the people of your state encouraging them to sign. Will your state sign? Write a letter to the people of your state encouraging them to sign.