Constitutional Convention May 1787

  Virginia Plan Proportional in size to the population of each state   New Jersey Plan Equal representation – 1 Equal representation – 1   Great Compromise   Roger Sherman   Two-house legislature   House of Representatives—seats varied according to states population   Senate – each state would have two

  3/5’s Compromise   Each slave would count as 3/5’s of a free person for taxation and representation  Slavery issue- slave ships only permitted to bring in slaves for the 20 years. At that time, Congress could ban the import of slaves. However, slave trade within the United States could continue.

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists   Federalists – supporters of the constitution   George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin   Federalist Papers – support what they had   Anti-Federalists – people who were against the constitution   Patrick Henry   Anti-Federalist Papers – weakening the states, No Bill of Rights, President/King?

Adopting the Constitution   Dec. 7, 1787   Delaware first to sign the constitution   Quickly followed by PA, NJ, GA, CT   June 21, 1788 New Hampshire 9 th State – went into effect   June 1788 Virginia   July 1788 New York   November 1789 N. Carolina   May 1790 Rhode Island

  Bill of Rights   Added 1791

1 st President  George Washington was elected in unanimously  Many problems plagued the new country.  U.S. already in debt – Alexander Hamilton