The Convention-May 1787-Sept All states except for Rhode Island All states except for Rhode Island 55 delegates 55 delegates White White Men Men Rich Rich Well educated Well educated

Famous attendees Washington—elected president of convention Washington—elected president of convention Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton

Those who did not attend Patrick Henry—”I smell a rat” Patrick Henry—”I smell a rat” Sam Adams Sam Adams John Adams John Adams Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson

Virginia Plan (large state) Edmund Randolph Bicameral—representation in both houses based on population Upper house elected by Legislature chose executive and judiciary Did not include specific powers to tax or regulate trade

Executive—veto over legislation and serve 1 seven year term, not eligible for reelection Judiciary to serve during “good behavior Ratification by state conventions

New Jersey Plan William Paterson Unicameral Congress Unicameral Congress power to levy import duties power to levy import duties to regulate trade, to regulate trade, Each state, one vote Each state, one vote Legislature to elect a plural executive, to serve one fixed term Legislature to elect a plural executive, to serve one fixed term

Executive to: carry out laws, carry out laws, direct military operationsdirect military operations appoint executive officers appoint executive officers Executive to appoint federal judiciaryExecutive to appoint federal judiciary Judges hold office during good behaviorJudges hold office during good behavior

Hamilton’s Plan Hamilton suggested 3 branches 3 branches Bicameral leg., with nearly exclusive sovereignty with power to legislate on behalf of states Bicameral leg., with nearly exclusive sovereignty with power to legislate on behalf of states Assemble elected by people for 3 year terms Assemble elected by people for 3 year terms Senate, chosen by electors from states, and serve during “good behavior” Senate, chosen by electors from states, and serve during “good behavior”

Executive would be elected by electors and would serve for life Executive would be elected by electors and would serve for life Executive appoint state governors—they would have veto power over state legislation Executive appoint state governors—they would have veto power over state legislation Judges hold office during “good behavior” Judges hold office during “good behavior” Debated for hours Debated for hours Never voted on Never voted on

Great Compromise Great Compromise—Roger Sherman, CT Great Compromise—Roger Sherman, CT Bicameral legislature Bicameral legislature House of Representation elected by the people on the basis of proportional representation House of Representation elected by the people on the basis of proportional representation Senate equal for all states. Each state legislature would select 2 senators Senate equal for all states. Each state legislature would select 2 senators

House have power to tax and spend House have power to tax and spend Executive: Elected by electors, each state have number equal to its # of rep. and Senators; method of selecting electors left up to the states number equal to its # of rep. and Senators; method of selecting electors left up to the states The person with the highest # of electoral votes would be President; 2 nd highest V.P. The person with the highest # of electoral votes would be President; 2 nd highest V.P. 1796—election problems 1800—once again, election problems 12 th Amendment—1804—provided for “ticket”

Judiciary –separate branch—serve for life; impeach if necessary; # to be decided by leg. Passed by a single vote Yes: CT, NJ, DE, MD and NC No: PA, VA, SC, GA Divided MA

3/5’s Compromise So. Slaves wanted all slaves counted for representation/ No. states wanted none counted So. Slaves wanted all slaves counted for representation/ No. states wanted none counted No. states wanted all slaves counted for taxation purposes/So. Wanted none counted for this purpose No. states wanted all slaves counted for taxation purposes/So. Wanted none counted for this purpose Compromise: 3/5s would count for both representation and direct taxes (taxes owed to the Federal gov’t by the states) Compromise: 3/5s would count for both representation and direct taxes (taxes owed to the Federal gov’t by the states) There were be a periodic CENSUS There were be a periodic CENSUS

Congress given power to regulate foreign trade South afraid this would allow Congress to eliminate slavery Compromise was to give Congress power to regulate trade, but Congress could not interfere with slave trade for at least 20 years Good idea??????